By Tola Gbadamosi

The Corps Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has called for deeper synergy between traditional rulers and the corps in tackling insecurity in the state.

In an exclusive interview with The Hope, Adeleye, who also double as Chairman Amotekun Commanders noted that many violent crimes and security breaches could have been prevented if traditional rulers had verified the identities and intentions of strangers before allocating land within their domains.

He also stressed that the Federal Government’s reintroduction of forest guards will be insufficient without full

“They come as farmers or herders in twos or threes, but in a matter of months, they multiply into hundreds. We must be more careful.

“I am advocating that Amotekun be allowed to profile such individuals and issue clearance certificates before any land is allocated to them.”he said.

He argued that the proactive approach is vital, as it enables the corps to detect and prevent threats before they escalate.

“The security of our communities must be built on intelligence, local knowledge and preemptive action,” he stressed.

Adeleye also weighed in on the Federal Government’s reintroduction of forest guards as a measure to combat growing insecurity, particularly in the country’s vast ungoverned forests.

While he welcomed the move as a step in the right direction, he cautioned that it would remain largely symbolic without the enabling structure of state policing.

“Tackling banditry in the forest is important, but who better to secure our forests than the people who live near them?” he asked.

“The success being recorded by Amotekun is because we are solving local problems the local way. Anything short of full state policing is scratching the surface.”

Reflecting on Amotekun’s impact since its inception in 2020, Adeleye recounted how the corps helped rescue the South-West from the grip of fear and lawlessness.

“When we started, people couldn’t go to their farms. Travelling was unsafe even in daylight. Businesses were crippled. The fear was real,” he said.

He said the corps first tackled farmer-herder conflicts, which had reached alarming levels, noting that over 5,000 petitions were received in the first three months.

“We engaged all stakeholders; Miyetti Allah, traditional rulers, farmers and launched mass literacy campaigns to clarify boundaries and rights. Then we enforced the anti-open grazing law.”

That law, he noted, bans night grazing, underage herding, and the destruction of farmlands.

According to him, enforcing it helped reduce related violence by more than 90 per cent.

Amotekun has also made significant inroads in tackling urban crime, kidnapping, and criminal use of unregistered vehicles. The enforcement of an executive order banning night-time okada operations was particularly effective in reducing crimes committed after dark.

“We have arrested and prosecuted several kidnapping suspects and secured convictions. Our operations are making real impact,” Adeleye said, while noting that recent surges in kidnapping in border communities required stronger collaborative efforts.

He praised the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for supporting such collaboration through initiatives like Operation Daada, a joint deployment of Amotekun, the Nigerian Army, Police and the NSCDC into forest areas.

“As we speak, farmers are gradually returning to their farms because relative peace has been restored,” he stated.

To prevent criminals from regrouping, Adeleye disclosed that Amotekun Rangers have been deployed deeper into forest zones, especially in the northern axis of the state.

Despite these strides, the Amotekun boss admitted that the corps is grossly understaffed relative to the population it serves.

“Ondo State has a population of over four million people. We need more boots on the ground. The government is working on this, and I can assure you more personnel will be recruited before the year ends,” he said.

Asked about the reported friction between Amotekun and the Police, Adeleye played it down. “Even two brothers quarrel sometimes. That’s what happened. Normalcy has returned, and we are currently running joint operations with the police and civil defence,” he explained.

Responding to criticisms that Amotekun lacks training and violates human rights, he said the corps operates with professionalism and adheres to the Omoluabi ethos.

“We don’t compromise on training. Just last week, we held a train-the-trainers session for our senior officers. In five years of operation, we’ve had less than five human rights cases. That speaks volumes,” he asserted.

Adeleye described Amotekun as a community-based security outfit with deep ties to local vigilantes, hunters and traditional institutions.

“We already work with hunters and local guards in all 18 LGAs. We are essentially glorified hunters ourselves,” he said.

He urged members of the public to support the corps through timely intelligence.

“Security is everyone’s business. It is always better to prevent an attack than to respond to one.

“We have a distress number; 0827-999989 and I assure you that any information shared will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

He also appealed to newly elected local government chairmen and traditional rulers to contribute to Amotekun’s mission by providing logistics support and timely community reports.

“We all have a part to play. With the right support, we will make Ondo the safest state in Nigeria,” he declared.