The Chairman of the Western Nigerian Security Network and Ondo state commander of Amotekun Corps, DCG Akogun Adetunji Adeleye (Rtd) has applauded President Muhammadu and the Federal Government’s decision to declare bandits as terrorists as a welcomed development.
He assured, that the Corps will do the needful in conjunction with other security Agencies to support it towards ensuring that the terrorist groups are defeated.
The Amotekun Boss spoke in an interview with newsmen at the Corps Headquarters in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The development was the aftermath of a ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja in November, ordering the federal government to declare the activities of Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda bandit groups as acts of terrorism.
The court ordered the federal government to give effect to the declaration by publishing it in its public gazette.
Umar Gwandu, spokesperson for the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, shared a copy of the official gazette with journalists.
It was also revealed, that other related groups are also declared by terrorists, by virtue of the publication.
In a notice of proscription order as contained in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dated November 29, 2021, volume 108, “The activities of Yan Bindiga Group, Yan Ta’adda Group and other similar groups in Nigeria are declared to be terrorism and illegal in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North-West and North-Central Regions of Nigeria and are proscribed pursuant to sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.
Speaking further, Akogun Adeleye said the Corps has been able to keep the state safe by the adequate implementation of the Anti-Gtazing law signed by the Akeredolu-led administration.
“It’s not really about how many people we have arrested. We assured the good people of Ondo state of a safe yuletide festivities and to the glory of God, we were able to ensure that throughout those periods, criminal activities by hoodlums were kept at bay.
“In one or two instances we had security bridges, they were all arrested and brought to book I will give God Almighty all the thanks because it cannot be us, it’s God.
“In the same vein, I would also like to commend the Akeredolu-led administration for giving us an enabling environment and the needed supports at all times to actually secure the people of Ondo State, its environs and their property.
“The entire border patrol which was part of Phase 7 of our “Operation Clean Up is being sustained by the government of Ondo state to ensure that the border and the state are highly protected from bandits and we appreciate the state government for such gesture”, he said.
The Security expert also hinted that the enforcement on the ban on use of unregistered vehicles, tinted glass vehicle without permit and the abuse on the restriction of okada operations at night’s, reduced criminal activities to 80 percent in Ondo state.
“In every our control points, we have members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the police joining Amotekun to enforce this restrictions in compliance to law and order.
“Initially, the people were apprehensive and not too happy about the development, until they realized that it was for their good,” Adeleye said.
