The Ondo State Commander of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye has attributed the success of the security outfit to the enabling environment created by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Akogun Adeleye stated this in Akure on Wednesday during an interactive session with Online Media Professionals in the State.
The Commander who disclosed that Amotekun was setup to compliment the activities of other security agencies in the State, said the Corps had been able to checkmate criminality in the State because of the support they got from Governor Akeredolu.
“I must say we have a good relationship with the DSS, Army, the Police and other security agencies within the State.
“Amotekun came on board when the security situations in South West states worsened. People find it very difficult to go to the farms and there is a high rate of crimes across the State. Though, we are not perfect, we have been able to reduce insecurity in the State.
“The governor has been able to create an enabling environment for us. We have been able to create control posts in the forests. This is like taking the fight to the criminals. We have meetings with the people living in the reserves, the herders, farmers and the Baales. Now, it is the government that gives clearance to anyone who wants to live and do business in the forests,” he said.
Sophisticated Weapon
The Amotekun boss used the opportunity of the interactive session to reiterate the Corps stand on the need to be granted access to sophisticated weapons to take the fight to the criminals hiding in the forests.
“Equipment has been a great challenge to us. Modern technological equipment like drones are expensive and needs technological know-how to manage.”
Herders-farmers clash
Akogun Adeleye said the Corps met with farmers and herders and security agencies in the State.
“We told the security agencies that we are not out to take their responsibilities. When we met the herders also, we told them that they have responsibilities to do their business in the state.
“Today, we hardly receive petitions on farmers- herders clash. There are weeks we don’t get such petitions as both farmers and herders now relate together in peace. What we have successfully achieved is to ensure that those herders that misbehaved are made to pay for such action.”