Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has declared that the people of the state can not continue to live in fear arising from the cases of kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities.
According to a statement signed by his Special Assistant, New Media, Olabode Olatunji Richard on Tuesday, Akeredolu made the revelation when he received the newly posted Assistant Inspection-General of Police, Zone 17, Akure, Isaac Akinmoyede and the new Brigade commander of the 32 Artillery, Owena Cantonment, Brig. Gen. Raymond Utsaha.
Governor Akeredolu, who urged the new AIG and brigade commander to collaborate with other security agencies in the state for optimum performance noted that insecurity can be tackled in a different way when there are collaborative efforts.
He also received the new heads of security agencies in the state in a separate visit to his office, Alagbaka, Akure on Tuesday.
He appreciated the police for the measure of cooperation given to the state security network, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps.
Governor Akeredolu said: ”We have great challenges. We need all hands on deck. Our challenges are enormous. Top of it is the issue of kidnapping.
“We can not continue to live in fears. It is our constitutional responsibility as governor and as police to prevent crimes and guarantee the security of lives and property of our people.”
The Governor assured the new AIG and the Brigade commander of a good working relationship as extended to their predecessors in office.
In his response, AIG Akinmoyede thanked the Governor for his support and cooperation enjoyed by the recently created zone 17 and the state command.
In his words, he said, ”I want to thank you for the cooperation that the Nigeria police Ondo state command has been receiving from your office. I have had an extensive briefing from the commissioner of police and he spoke well of your efforts. I thank you for the progress made so far on zone 17 headquarters.”
The AIG assured of his readiness to cooperate with Amotekun and synergise with other security agencies in the state.
The Outgone Brigade Commander of 32 Artillery, Brig. Gen. Z. L Abubakar, also thanked the Governor for his massive support for the command in the state.
He said: ”I want to thank you for so many reasons. For your enormous support for the 32 artillery. From the road construction in the barrack. Identifying with us. You gave loans to the families of the fallen heroes and so many promises to the living heroes so that they won’t be forgotten.”
He further said, “Since the assumption of office, I have benefited a lot from your administration. I want to indulge and request from you that all the assistants and cooperation you have given to me, please extend it to my predecessors.”
The new Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Raymond, assured the Governor of his commitment to a peace and crime-free state.
