Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has commended the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, for arresting over 114 people found wandering in the forests across the state, describing the efforts put in to achieve the goal as gallantry.
The Yoruba generalissimo gave this commendation in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, saying that the news of the recent arrest of bandits in the state was a confirmation of the lacuna in the security architectures of the country.
This was just as he sadly noted that the forests across the South West had since become vulnerable with the influx of bandits in the region, insisting that now is the time to safeguard the forests.
“I said about three years ago that bandits have invaded our forests between Owo and the boundary of Kogi.
“I raised the alarm then but with evidence that many of the bandits or illegal inhabitants in our forests have some powerful people that have been sponsoring them in their banditry.
“I raised the alarm so that we can flush out the illegal inhabitants.
“But with the gallant efforts of the Ondo State Amotekun, I think it is time for us to address the spate of insecurity in the region.
“I commend the Ondo State Amotekun for their efforts; however, the corps have done the best by arresting the illegal inhabitants across the forest.
“There is a need for us to protect our forests against illegal inhabitants,” Iba Adams said.
The Yoruba generalissimo urged all states that have Amotekun to commission a forest guards department that would protect forests in the region and keep bandits away from there, saying that they should be on guard 24 hours a day to ensure that the forests are secured.
“In my view, all states that have Amotekun should commission a forest guards department that will protect our forests and keep bandits away from our forests.
“They should be on guard, 24 hours a day, to ensure that the forests are secured.
“The enemies within give food to the bandits, and once they are fed, they come out of the forests to perpetrate evil in the region,” he said.
Iba Adams, while restating the need to address the security situation in the region, said he was ready to partner with all the six governors in ensuring that the South West region is safe.
“With the success recorded by the Ondo State Amotekun, I am saying it again that we are ready to support the government security agencies, including the Amotekun, in our efforts to get rid of terrorists and bandits in our forests,” he assured.
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