Abiodun pledges to tackle insecurity in riverine areas

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has pledged to address insecurity in the riverine areas of the state.

The Governor said his government is putting in place strategic security plans that would check the development in the affected areas.

Abiodun stated this on Wednesday when he received the new Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brigadier General Ehimwenma Amadasun, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta,

Abiodun noted that it was imperative for the State government and security agencies to put heads together and fashion out plans that would permanently stem the tide of insecurity in those parts of the State.

He said "One of the vulnerable areas that we have identified lately is the riverine areas of the State that border Ondo and not too far from the Niger Delta.

"There is a need for government and security agencies to rub minds and firm up with strategic plans to reduce the level of vulnerability of the citizens in those areas."

He said though the State was relatively peaceful when compared to others, the government had in recent times, demonstrated its zero-tolerance for crimes and criminalities by rounding up criminals including kidnappers in some parts of the State.

He warned that henceforth, his administration would seek capital punishment for any kidnapper caught in the State.

He said "Ogun State is relatively peaceful compared to other states. We had a few tests of our will in one kidnap or the other. We met such an incident with a show of force and I have said without mincing words that when we catch anyone kidnapping, we are going to seek capital punishment for the kidnapper.

"We will not allow some miscreants to come and disrupt the peace that we enjoy and the benefits that we will derive from people coming here to establish their presence.

"We seek to create an enabling environment for a Public-Private Sector Partnership, and so if indeed we want to create an enabling environment, the first thing to do is to ensure that people can come and establish their presence here without having to worry about being robbed or kidnapped

"Government and the State Police Command have reviewed the security situation of the State with the view to planning adequate security for the people, particularly at this period of Yuletide when criminals would adopt various methods to perpetuate their nefarious activities."

Abiodun while reiterating that his administration would continue to place a premium on security, pointed out that as an industrial hub of the nation, it was important to continue to make the State peaceful to attract more investors to the State.

He said the state would contribute its own share of patrol vehicles, communication gadgets, and personnel to "Amotekun", a security outfit formed by Southwest state governments, to tackle insecurity, particularly on major highways linking them.

He emphasised that the Army has been a worthy partner in securing the State, opining that the experience and exposure of the new Brigade Commander has prepared him for the task ahead.

He pledged the support and cooperation of the State government to enable him to succeed in his new posting.

He said "I wish to assure you that on behalf of the government of this State, you can take for granted our commitment and dedication to support you as the Commander and also the entire security architecture of this State which comprises the Army, Police, the DSS, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defence and all others that make up the security architecture of our State", the governor concluded.

Brigadier General Amadasun who spoke earlier had informed the governor that he was in the State to ensure continued peace and security, which would further engender the economic prosperity of the people.

He said his experience in the last three weeks since he assumed duties at the Alamala Barracks, has confirmed that the State was indeed peaceful. He appreciated the goverrnor for always being there for the Army.