By Tola Gbadamosi

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Ondo State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has revealed that operatives of the Corps arrest over 25 criminal suspects on daily basis since the launch of the operation ‘Gba’ le, Gba’ko in the state.

Akogun Adeleye said  this  while speaking with The Hope on the presence of Amotekun officials in every nook and crannies of the Sunshine state, especially in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

He hinted that the Corps has 38 pined-down points in Akure township alone, saying some of them are being monitored with vehicles, some with motorcycles, while some are monitored with officers both in uniform and mufty

“Our men are out there combing everywhere in the metropolis, both in town and in the forests.

“Sighting Amotekun men virtually in all nooks and crannies of the state sends a message of confidence that there is positive development in terms of security.

“It is a show of force and it has preventive dividends. Naturally, if security men are firmly on ground, the resultant effect is that criminals will move away to some other unsecured place. It is a positive action, they are there for the purpose and the fact is that their visibility make it an advantage.

“I think what we should do is to cooperate and assist them in what they are doing to make their job easier. That’s what we all as citizens of Ondo state should do. We should all join our hands with them and off course the police for a crime-free society”, he said.

According to him, since the formation of Amotekun in the state, Christmas have been stress-free in terms of security for most residents of the state. Few years ago before Amotekun was established, yuletide periods have always been better moment for criminals to operate freely, but that has been checkmated and has stopped and this is attributed to the endless efforts of the corps.

Reacting to the development, a retired Commissioner of Police, CP Adetuyi, described the gesture as noble, saying it would continue to scare criminal-minded individuals away and would enable residents sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We see security operatives everywhere in other countries and at least, people are confident now that they can move around without any fear of attack and this will give rooms for lots of business transactions and would enhance more travelings during this period. When they see security operatives everywhere, it gives them more confident”, he stated.

He solicited for more cooperation from the public with a view to making their jobs easier and also sought the support of the Federal Government to enable them network together towards achieving a common goal which is peace and security of the people, state and the nation at large”, he expressed.

Also speaking, a commuter, Mr Lanre Ogunmefun who lives at Awule area in Akure South local government area of the state, said the presence of the Corps everywhere in Akure and other places has further increased the confidence of banks operating in the state, saying they are more delighted of the peaceful situation within the  Akure metropolis.

“In the past years, we do witness incessant robbery attacks especially during yuletide periods in the state. Thank God it’s a thing of the past today and kudos to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and operatives of the Amotekun Corps.

On his own, a banker who does not want his name mentioned in the print, said “Life as a banker has become more promising as we no longer watch our backs while working like we always did in the past few years.

“We have rest of mind going to work with the assurance of the Amotekun men on ground and around the banking area of Alagbaka, who by the grace of God are there to ensure everyone’s safety”, he said.