"We will include OPC in Ondo state security outfit" - Gov. Akeredolu

Following the resolve of the Southwest state governors to tackle criminal activities in the region through joint security operations, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has pledged the inclusion of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other local security outfits in the formation of the state’s security vigilance group codenamed “Amotekun.”

Akeredolu spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, yesterday, while receiving the state executive members of the Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), who paid him a courtesy visit in Akure, the state capital.

He said the state government had resolved to partner with the group as a leading member of the state’s security outfit for the purpose of a home-grown community policing aimed at combating criminal activities in the state.

According to him, governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states specifically enlisted the services and cooperation of the Adams-led OPC to coordinate other local groups such as Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Group and local hunters to partner and assist the police in securing the Southwest region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

He said: “Governor Akeredolu, who is the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, convened the Southwest Security Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, a few weeks ago, where it was resolved by the forum to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant cases of kidnapping, banditry, herdsmen attacks and other crimes ravaging the region.

“It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, in order to assist the police in its quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing scheme will also include other local security outfits like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.

“I am happy to also inform you that our governor has already blazed the trail by procuring hundreds of SUV utility vans and over 250 motorbikes for the take-off of the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit, which I’m sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC, as operational vehicles, among other incentives, to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness. The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task.”

Also speaking, the state’s Head of Service (HoS), Dare Aragbaye, who welcomed the delegation to the Governor’s Office, hailed the OPC for the feat achieved a few days ago in Imesi-Ile in Osun State, where the group swiftly moved to rescue 14 persons kidnapped by bandits in the forest of the town by launching heavy attacks on the fleeing criminals to set the victims free.

Aragbaye urged members of the Yoruba defence group to put in more efforts in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities within the region, stressing that government in the state, led by Akeredolu, was ready to partner and support the group to achieve success in making the state crime-free.

The leader of the OPC delegation and Ondo State Coordinator, Pius Ogunsanya, who delivered Adams’ message, said he would use the group as a veritable platform to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among all the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the region.