The Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), has described the state’s security architecture as a model to other states in the country.
He noted that the creation of local security outfits like Amotekun, Agro-Marshal, Anti-Grazing and collaborations with vigilantes, OPC and local hunters represents a significant development in Ekiti’s security architecture.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday during the interactive S’etigbo multicast anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications, the aide said that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has fully embraced and funded these local agencies as part of the security architecture to tackle incidents of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
His words: “We have our Amotekun, Agro-Marshal, Anti-Grazing and we work with vigilantes, OPC and local hunters to make sure we mobilise to wherever there is crisis. We decided to bring some of these our state-created agencies so that they can give the federal agencies information that will enable them to carry out their assignments.
“The local agencies may not have the capacity to fight alone but in terms of information, they have that local intelligence that can complement the efforts of the federal agencies. That’s why today we can say that Ekiti is among the safest states in Nigeria.
“When we go out for security meetings, they always ask us how do we normally do it that Ekiti is safe despite the fact that we are surrounded by some of these turbulence borders.
“Our local agencies take charge of the forest and that is where the people are hiding. The governor embraced our local agencies and they are part of the security architecture that are funded that gave us the impetus as to where we are now.”
While describing the state as the safest in the country, he explained that the distribution of 100 operational vehicles by the governor to security agencies in the state would strengthen security operations, enhance rapid response to emergencies and improve the mobility of security personnel.
“It’s a big achievement for Ekiti people. Because of the love the governor has for Ekiti people, security is elevated to the next level where we can now say we have enough security and enough facilities to reach out to any criminal activities in Ekiti State and beyond.
“The vehicles that were commissioned is unprecedented and we never even expected it at this critical period. We give glory to God that the governor has the mind of the people to make sure there is peace and tranquility in Ekiti State and that the security agencies have the facilities they can work with.”
