• Ogun to fortify amotekun with additional 1,000 personnel
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Plans are in top gear to fortify Ogun State Security Network Agency codenamed, Amotekun Corps, with the recruitment of additional 1,000 personnel. Governor Dapo Abiodun said: “This is to effectively police all the nooks and crannies of the state,” just as he warned criminals that the state would not be a haven for their criminal activities.
Apart from personnel, the governor pledged to provide more patrol vehicles, electric motorcycles, communication gadgets and other necessities to enable the corps members to discharge their duties effectively.
Abiodun made this known at the passing-out parade of 690 Batch D trainees of the corps at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu. He said that the establishment of the corps was aimed at strengthening security, particularly at the grassroots, as well as reducing unemployment in the state:
“We will continue to strengthen the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) to ensure that you have the tools and infrastructure required to perform your duties effectively and diligently. I am today, based on what I have seen regarding your level of preparedness and commitment, approving the extra requirement of another 1,000 Amotekun Corps.
“This will bring the total strength to over 2,000. They will, of course, be enumerated very well in line with the civil service structure. I will also be approving additional logistics, including but not limited to vehicles, electric motorcycles, and all that is required to allow you to discharge your responsibilities to the best of your abilities.”
He stated that the passing-out event represented a milestone in securing the state, as they would be made to patrol major roads and communities across the state: “The establishment of the corps, the governor emphasised, is meant to complement Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity, as the corps is to cooperate with other security agencies in tackling criminal activities in the state.”
Governor Abiodun, who was impressed with the level of training, discipline and conduct, noted that with their commitment and sense of duty, those who left the organisation would be motivated to come back.
He urged them, as custodians of security and peace in the state, not to use their position to intimidate or molest the people, but to secure them through intelligence gathering and cooperation with the traditional rulers to ensure effective community policing.
While maintaining that the training of the corps was to serve as a warning signal to criminals that the state would not be a haven for their activities, Abiodun, however, stated that he expected improved security across the state in the coming days.
He commended the pioneer Commander of the Corps for laying a solid foundation and called on the people to cooperate with the corps by providing useful information to enable the members and other security agencies to nip crimes in the bud.
Amotekun Commandant, Brig. Gen. Alade Adedigba (rtd), said the trainees were exposed to physical training, weapon handling and intelligence gathering. He appreciated government for providing the needed resources for the smooth operation of the corps:
“Operatives of the corps have been able to repair some broken-down patrol vehicles and motorcycles, while the government has provided new sets of uniforms and communication gadgets to the agency.” He called on the trainees to operate within the confines of the law, serve the people with renewed commitment and cooperate with other security agencies for the peace and tranquillity of the state.