Determined to strengthen the operation of the home grown security initiative in a bid to tackle insecurity, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, Tuesday inaugurated another batch of personnel into the State Security Network Agency, Amotekun.
The governor also said crime is a local issue that should be addressed with a large dose of home-grown approach.
Inaugurating the newly recruited 503 personnel of Amotekun at the passing out parade ceremony in Akure, the state capital, the governor called for the support of all stakeholders in the fight against insecurity in the state.
Akeredolu, who also inaugurated new 20 patrol vehicles and the official headquarters of the corps at Alagbaka, Akure, commended the leadership of the state security outfit for its efforts in ameliorating the security challenge in the state, promising to always provide the right leadership for the agency to thrive.
According to him, the Amotekun Corps initiative was a baby of necessity conceived as a home-grown approach to solving the plethora of security challenges that have put the people on the edge.
He said: “It has further reinforced our long time view that state and community-based policing is the panacea to the country’s security challenges.
“Let me reassure the good people of Ondo State that our administration will leave no stone unturned as far as the implementation of our ‘Redeemed Agenda’ is concerned.
“The sixth goal of the agenda, which is ‘maintenance of law and order for adequate security’, is the reason why we are here today. I enjoin all the good people of Ondo State to lend your cooperation in terms of providing credible intelligence and financial support towards the success of this initiative.
“Today’s event is one of the milestones recorded by our administration in our attempt to redeem Ondo State from the shackles of poverty, disease and underdevelopment. These cannot be achieved without a sense of safety and peace.”
In his opening remarks, the state Commander of the corps, Chief Adetunji
Adeleye, explained that about 600 persons applied for the job, while after the screening, about 503 passed and were finally recruited.
He commended the governor, traditional rulers and people of various communities in the state for the support given to the corps in the fight against criminality in the state.
THISDAY
