Emmanuel Adigwe
Governor Seyi Makinde has reacted to the claim made by the Presidency that the Inspector General of Police will be in charge of the operation of Operation Amotekun.
Makinde stated this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, on Thursday saying that Amotekun already had legislative backing and it could be controlled by the state.
He said: “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 can take place, as far as we are concerned, in an atmosphere of insecurity.”
Makinde urged the local government chairman in the state to ensure adequate security as we are approaching the ending of the year where crime increases.
He said: “I want to, as a matter of urgency, urge you that you all go back to your areas to set up your security committees and this must be done immediately. 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.”