Ondo Assembly Reaffirms Support for Amotekun, Urges Readiness for Elections
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to back the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, with legislation and other necessary support to help it address emerging security challenges in the state.
The assurance was given by the Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, during an oversight visit to the Corps’ headquarters in Akure.
Leading the delegation, Hon. Ifabiyi said the Assembly remains committed to strengthening Amotekun through appropriate laws and interventions that will enhance its capacity to protect lives and property.
He commended the Commandant, Akogun Ade Adeleye, and officers of the Corps for sustaining relative peace in the state. According to him, the improved security situation is due to the joint efforts of Amotekun and other security agencies.
“If not for the gallantry of Amotekun and other security agencies, the security situation in the state would have been worse,” he said.
Hon. Ifabiyi recalled that the Committee had previously visited the Corps for familiarization and during the recruitment of new personnel. He noted that the current peace in the state has also reduced the number of security-related complaints from constituents.
He, however, said the Committee is still focused on the challenges facing the Corps and will explore legislative solutions to address them.
With elections approaching, the Chairman urged Amotekun to intensify preparations to prevent political activities from degenerating into violence. He added that the Assembly will work with the Corps to ensure all 18 LGAs and constituencies remain peaceful before, during, and after the polls.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Primate Oluwatoyin Allen, applauded Amotekun for its role in keeping Ondo relatively safe despite security issues in neighboring states. He called for stronger collaboration and intelligence sharing among Amotekun commands across the South-West.
Hon. Allen also praised the Corps for a transparent recruitment process, describing the selection of qualified candidates from a large pool of applicants as commendable.
Other members, Hon. Princess Olawunmi Fayemi and Hon. Tope Agbulu, lauded the professionalism of the Corps and emphasized the need for continuous training to tackle evolving security threats.
In his response, Commandant Adeleye thanked the Assembly for its consistent legislative support.
He disclosed that in the last six months, the Corps arrested over 300 suspects, prosecuted more than 100, and secured several convictions.
Adeleye said operations have been intensified through the Rangers Unit, Boundary Patrol Teams, surveillance units, Area Commands, and personnel deployed across all 18 LGAs. The Corps has also strengthened collaboration with the Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA and other agencies.
He sadly revealed that two Amotekun officers were killed recently by suspected criminals, while others sustained injuries during an operation to recover weapons taken from the slain officers.
The Commandant appealed for more support for the welfare and medical care of injured personnel and families of fallen officers.
He assured the Committee that Amotekun will continue to operate within the law and work with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property in Ondo State.
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