By DAPO FALADE
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the security network, codenamed Operation Amotekun, has come to stay in the state, declaring that the security outfit will not be controlled by the Federal Government.
He said security of lives and properties remains important to his government and charged the caretaker chairmen of the 68 local government and local council development areas in the state to immediately set up security committees, with a view to tackling the security challenges in their localities.
The governor stated this while addressing caretaker chairpersons at a meeting held inside the House of Chiefs, Secretariat Ibadan.
He said Operation Amotekun will not be under the control of the federal establishments but the state as, according to him, it is impossible to achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“We want our people to sleep with their two eyes closed. Of course, security is one of the pillars of this administration and we must do everything possible to invest in the security of lives and property.
“In Okeho, the other day, armed robbers went to rob and the community rose against them and apprehended them. They combed the forests and they got them.
“This is why I will continue to say it and I am saying it for the whole world to hear: Amotekun is here to stay with us. And it will not be under the control of the federal establishment.
“It will be under our control. Security of our people is extremely important, because nothing [development] can take place, as far as we are concerned, in an atmosphere of insecurity,” he said.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also
maintained that the state government would provide all enablements for the local council chairmen to succeed in the task.
“From where we are here, the biggest challenge we have seen so far is in the area of security. We are getting close to the ’ember’ months, a period in which some people who have not worked all year and want to have a Merry Christmas, commit all sorts of crimes.
“So, we expect that there will be a spike in criminal activities. I want to, as a matter of urgency, urge you that you all go back to your areas to set up your security committees.
“It must be done almost immediately. And I will be happy to release funds; to give approval for you to spend some money on security within your domains.
“Oyo State is very large. in terms of land size, we are more than all the states of South-East Nigeria put together. So, we have a lot to do to protect the state. We have international borders, so there is smuggling taking place. They killed a Customs official in Saki a few weeks ago. Those things are not acceptable to us.
“As the government that is the closest to the people, you have to take control of the challenges of insecurity in your various domains and you should please, once those committees are set up, any enabler that you need, let us know.
“We will work with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, to make sure those enablers are provided,” Makinde said.
He however commended some of the local government chairpersons, whom he noted have been doing their best despite limited resources.
He also urged all of them to sit up and link up with the party men and women as well as residents of their localities ahead of plans for local government election, which he said will be made public once the state House of Assembly screens and clears the nominees for the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC).
The governor also hinted that the state government will set up an evaluation committee to vet the performances of the local government chairmen as well as the challenges they are facing.
He stated that his administration remains determined to give the state true democracy and to meet the yearning and aspirations of the people.
The governor further charged the local government chairpersons to take responsibility for government assets in their domains, noting that it has become imperative to move away from the mentality that public assets are no one’s property.
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