…..INSECURITY:NIGERIA POLICE OVERSTRETCHED, UNDERSTAFFED, CAN’T PROTECT THE PEOPLE —GOV AKEREDOLU
…..Says Intelligence Gathering Crucial To Effective Security
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has reiterated the need to have State Police to effectively secure the lives and property of the people.
Governor Akeredolu noted that the Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and understaffed and lacks the capacity to adequately secure the people.
The Governor spoke in his office on Thursday while playing host to the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 17, AIG Yunnus Mohammed Akeera.
He was accompanied to the Governor’s office by the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Oyediran Oyeyemi.
Governor Akeredolu said the fact that a single police command in Abuja cannot adequately secure the country has led to the demand for State Police.
He said:”As you know, the Zone 17 is probably one of the newest. When the Zone was created the State Government had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities. When we got you a location, we had to renovate it.
“We do not run away from the fact that the Police is overstretched. The same way, we do not run away from the fact that a single police command in Abuja will not be adequate to police the large populace of the country. This has led to our demand for State Police.
“We can complement each other. I have had Senior Police Officers who agreed on State Police. Maybe they can’t say it in the public. Go to Ekiti and even here in Ondo State, most of the Police Stations have no vehicle. Look at the unfortunate incident that happened in Owo, Police said they had no vehicle to pursue the perpetrators.
“Let us all sit down and agree that we should have a system that wil create division of labour. We can have the Federal Police and then, the State Police. You can face up major task like intelligence gathering and pass it to the State Police to work on.
“What is happening, if not for lack of intelligence people will not go to Kuje and attack the place in Abuja. We need your cooperation too in this our cry for a dual Police System that can work together.
“People are moving down south to take refuge in our forest. You don’t have the men and officer to secure the country. Police is understaffed. We appreciate your limitations in terms of men, ammunition and so on.” The Governor said.
Earlier, the newly deployed AIG Yunnus Mohammed Akeera said he would carry on with the good work the Governor has done on security and deepen it.
ODHA passed Amended Amotekun bill into Law
As the committee chairman on security in the Ondo State House of Assembly, I presented the report of the committee on amendment of the Ondo State Security Network Code name “AMOTEKUN”.
This is contained in a statement signed by Hon. Gbegudu Ololade,
Chairman House Committee on Security Culture, Tourism, Cooperative Services and Community development, Ondo State House of Assembly, Okitipupa Constituency 2.
He said, “Recall, in February 2020. I submitted the report on a bill for “A Law To Establish The Ondo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps”, which passed through the first and the second reading and was subsequently passed into law under the leadership of our Dear Speaker Rt Hon (Propht) Bamidele Oleyeloogun who presided over the Session.
“This amended law is made possible by the tenacity and Resolve of our dear Governor, His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN to reduce the rate of crimes, Protect the citizens and also strengthen the Operation of the Amotekun corps, I therefore presented the amended bill to the house for Scrutiny.
“About 6 Sections of the Principal Laws were amended.
“This amended bill was passed into Law today by the Ondo State House of Assembly to the Glory of God and benefit of the citizens of Ondo State.”
