Mr Ayo Akande, Chairman of Ondo State’s Akoko Northwest Local Government Area, has raised concern about the state’s northern border towns being targeted by criminals.
This was said by Akande at a news conference held in Akure on Sunday to commemorate the Akoko Northwest Local Government’s 30th anniversary.
According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), the celebration would begin on Monday at the local government headquarters of Oke-Agbe Akoko.
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was praised by Akande for his efforts to restore peace in Akokoland with the help of the Amotekun corps.
He also stated that the state and the neighboring states of Edo, Ekiti, and Kogi were working together to reduce insecurity in the volatile border areas.
“It is only the deaf and dumb that will not appreciate what the governor had been doing in the state.
“If not for his position to fight insecurity in the whole state, the story would have been different, we appreciate what he has been doing with the Amotekun Corps.
“I must also thank the traditional rulers and community leaders for their support and cooperation to ensure that the state is peaceful.
“Though, some people and media have labelled Akoko land as criminal hideout, I want to tell you that, things have totally changed and tranquility had been restored in the whole land,” he said.
Despite the attempts, he stated that challenges persist in Akoko Northwest Local Government border towns with neighboring states.
According to Akande, Akoko territory has boundaries with the states of Ekiti, Kogi, and Edo, and criminals from those areas normally come for operations, strike, and then return to their base.
“And security agencies seemed not to have power to pursue them to those states.
“We have filed a complaint with the proper authority and security services, requesting that they strengthen their cooperation with neighboring states. I want to reassure you that the situation is being looked into.
Meanwhile, the chairman announced that the week-long event would include a number of activities, including an economic summit with the theme “Enhancing local government economic stability in the post-pandemic era — Challenges and Prospects.
“We have invited seasoned and international resource personalities in person of the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Akoko-Edo Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Peter Akpatason as well as Dr Deji Akinwalere to come and address us on that day.
“Government resource allocation cannot take us to the next level. So we are trying to think outside the box to see what we can do to invite the private sector to join our government to move the local government forward economically,” he said.
Oba Andrew Momoh, the Akala of Ikaram, stated the issue of security on Akoko land was a mirror of the country’s security.
“At this time, this country is facing security issues, and it is critical that all levels of government step up their efforts to confront insecurity.
The Oba bemoaned the fact that the issue in the middle belt was already spreading south, and that Akoko, which is in the state’s northern section, required immediate action before it overtook the region.
Later, the traditional ruler congratulated the state government for establishing the Amotekun corps, which he said had been of great assistance to the state.
SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWS
