From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has said the call for state police is not for self-aggrandisement but a reality of the time.
He condemned the attack on President Muhammadu Buhari’s convoy by bandits in Kastina State on Tuesday, describing the attack as daring.
He spoke while playing host to his former school mates at Loyola College, Ibadan (1968/1972) set in his office in Akure, the state capital.
The Old Boys were led by their Acting President, Mr. Ayodele Adigun.
Governor Akeredolu noted that the country’s security challenges have gone beyond Fulani herdsmen to the menace of bandits and ISWAP.
“We, governors in the South West met and we are still more than convinced that there is no solution other than state police. The truth is that we will be prepared to protect ourselves and die in the process more than other people from outside. We can only protect ourselves better.
“For me, state police is not for self-aggrandisement. It is a reality of the time. For us in the South and even in the North, I know so many of them that have come to accept that a single command of Police is not good for this country. This country is too big.
“We will continue to make our voice heard everywhere. We are almost there. We are licking our wounds here over the June 5 attack in Owo. It is a serious wound. We will never forget. We are putting together a memorial in a conspicuous place in Owo.” Governor Akeredolu said.
Earlier, the Acting President of the Loyola College Old Boys’Association (1968/1972) set, Mr Ayodele Adigun condemned the June 5 attack in Owo, while expressing shock that such heinous crime could be carried out in the South West.