By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has again donated additional 50 fitted patrol vehicles to all the security agencies as part of the commitment of his administration to further strengthen the security of lives and property of the people in the state.
Governor Akeredolu handed over the fitted patrol vehicles to heads of the security agencies in the state including the Army; Navy, Nigeria Police, the Civil Defense Corps, Department of the State Services and the Amotekun Corps.
The Governor, while distributing the vehicles on Monday at the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, noted that the commissioning and handing over of additional 50 vehicles was a further demonstration of the commitment of his administration towards providing the needed support for all security agencies operating in the state.
Governor Akeredolu, who said his administration places a premium on the dignity of human lives, vowed to smoke out all criminals in the State from their hiding places and make the State uncomfortable for them.
The Governor said, “We still recall with trepidation the dastardly act of last month when some daredevil terrorists who have lost their souls to the devil launched an attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa in the ancient city of Owo.
“One of my promises then to the people of Ondo State was to do everything humanly possible to strengthen the capacity of our security agencies to be able to anticipate, prevent and combat a recurrence of such man’s inhumanity to mankind.
“Today, it gives me great delight to commission and hand over additional security equipment, particularly fitted patrol vehicles, to security agencies operating in the State towards boosting the capacity of our men in the line of duty of crime fighting so that our people can go about their businesses and livelihood without fear of molestation or attack.
“In doing this, the agencies would be better equipped and strengthened to carry out their constitutional duties of protecting lives and property and combating acts of criminality in our dear State.
“Let me emphasize that procurement and distribution of vehicles to security agencies have been a recurring exercise in our state since we came on board. We have done this for the umpteenth time. As a Government, we are aware of the inadequacies of our security agencies and we are prepared, more than ever, to be supportive because it borders on the lives of our people who voted us into office.
“I wish to reassure the good people of Ondo State of our avowed commitment to the constitutional responsibility of every Government which is the security of lives and property and welfare of the people as enshrined in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended),this will remain our topmost priority.
“I, therefore, wish to inform naysayers that we are prepared to make Ondo State uncomfortable and too hot for any identified criminals to hibernate.
“Therefore, these vehicles will be deployed to relevant security agencies in charge of internal security to enable them to function more effectively and efficiently. Our Key Performance Indicator shall remain a zero tolerance to Crime of whatever dimension.”
The Chairman of CIG motors, Diana Chen, who condemned the June 5, Owo attack, commended Governor Akeredolu for his bold steps in securing the lives and property of the people.
Chen said the CIG motors is happy to partner with the Ondo State Government towards strengthening the State’s security.
She, therefore, charged the people to support the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in the state, saying “It is important for the people to come out and say we are not afraid.”