BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his administration’s resolve to give zero tolerance to crime by supporting the security agencies in the state.
The governor spoke on Friday, during the handing over of 100 operational vehicles equipped with communication gadgets to Operation Amotekun at the Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, indicated Governor Makinde’s decision to recruit 500 more personnel in addition to the existing 1,500 men to further strengthen its capacity.
Makinde said, “Today, we are here strengthening the Amotekun Corps. We will continue to listen to you. We will continue to fulfill the promises we made to you before you gave us the mandate. Let me also repeat that if you see something, say something and it will be sorted by Amotekun.
“To criminals and criminally-minded individuals, I was told that they usually import criminal elements into Oyo State. Well, we have the security vehicles but that is not the only thing we are doing. We are recruiting more Amotekun personnel and would be upgrading their communication structure. We are also equipping them so that they can respond to you adequately.
“My advice is, when you come to Oyo State with the intention to carry out criminal activity, there is nowhere to hide. We will get you, deal with you and it will be your last operation. So, please, stay off Oyo State.”
The governor lauded the council chairmen for their cooperation, explaining that the administration had demonstrated that the two tiers of government could collaborate to achieve common objective.
“When we came out with this idea of equipping Amotekun and ensuring visibility for them, you (council chairmen) bought into it and said you will provide some while the state government also provides some, and this is where we are today. Indeed, this is a message.
“Those people talking about autonomy and all of that, we only need a restructured country for the elements to work together. The objective is the same. The electorate gave us the mandate to provide leadership, good governance and make their lives better, and we have demonstrated that with your support in Oyo State.
“So, the rest of Nigeria should take note as they can come and learn from us.
“I also want to thank the leadership of Amotekun Corps, the Commandant, your team and the operatives. You have, indeed, changed the security landscape of Oyo State. You have stayed through to your mandate and I want to thank and assure you of our continued support to Amotekun in Oyo State.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance, Akin Ojo, said, ‘We currently have about 1,500 personnel under the Amotekun Corps with an additional 500 in the pipeline to come on board. The whole essence of these vehicles is to ensure efficiency in the security architecture in Oyo State.
“These vehicles were jointly financed by the Oyo State Government and the local governments in the state.”
