Adewumi Ademiju
CULLED FROM NEWSHEREANDTHERE MAGAZINE
The Corps Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has called for greater involvement of women in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture while the agency commences air and ground surveillance of schools across the state to ensure safe resumption.
Adeleye, who made the call while receiving a Special Award at the recently concluded WINSEC Award Programme in Abuja organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said women have a critical role in tackling the root causes of criminality through proper parenting and promotion of strong family values. He noted that the breakdown of family values and inadequate parental supervision have significantly fuelled insecurity, adding that mothers, who bear greater responsibility for raising children while fathers pursue livelihoods, must pay closer attention to the welfare and upbringing of their children.
“It is a very important time for women to come together and support the nation’s security architecture by ensuring that children are properly nurtured. Mothers should pay close attention to the welfare and upbringing of their children so that society is not breeding future criminals,” he said. Adeleye described the award as a motivation to intensify crime prevention and community protection, and dedicated it to the “gallant men and women” of Amotekun and other security stakeholders.
The Amotekun commander, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to gender inclusion, said female personnel have continued to demonstrate courage and professionalism in maintaining peace across the state and assured of more opportunities for women in security operations. He appreciated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his support and urged the Federal Government to adopt the Ondo Amotekun model as a blueprint for the proposed state policing system.
Speaking on recent operations, Adeleye disclosed that following a directive by Governor Aiyedatiwa, Amotekun has commenced deployment of drones and patrol teams to monitor schools and surrounding forests across the 18 local government areas, with special focus on border communities and vulnerable locations. “Immediately we received the intelligence, we deployed our aerial surveillance team to the area. We discovered illegal occupants and miscreants hiding in the forest and took immediate action,” he said, referring to a recent intelligence provided by a school principal after suspected cultists were sighted less than 200 metres from a school fence.
He said the surveillance, being carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, will continue indefinitely until all threats around schools are cleared, and urged school principals to keep Amotekun’s emergency line, 0807 999 9989, for quick response.
Reacting, the Principal of Seat of Wisdom Catholic College, Alagbaka, Akure, Rev. Fr. Iku Augustine, commended the initiative, describing drone deployment as laudable. “We do not joke with security in our school. We have always collaborated with Amotekun, and the introduction of drone surveillance is a welcome development that will further enhance the safety of our students and staff,” he said.