‘Stop criminal activities in our forests’ Osun Govt orders Amotekun

Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo

Osun State government has ordered the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed  “Amotekun”  to stop any act of criminality in all the forests across the State.

This is following the increase in the number of abductions reported in the State. Recently, a group of Chinese expatriates regained freedom from abduction.

Also, six passengers and the driver of a Toyota Sienna bus were on Monday, kidnapped along Ilesa- Akure expressway. Although three persons escaped from the abductors, the rest are yet to regain freedom.

Some of the government officials, on Thursday, maintained that the State would deal with criminal elements generally and not a particular ethnic extraction.

In an exclusive interview, on Thursday, with the commander of Amotekun in the State, Comrade Amitolu Shittu said the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola summoned him and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security over the incessant kidnapping.

He noted that the governor during the meeting on Wednesday gave the marching order to stop banditry and kidnapping in the State.

In his words, “There is no ethnic colouration to crime, crime is crime. Anybody who commits a crime will be dealt with no matter where you come from.

“Governor Gboyega Oyetola is passionate about the security of the people. We cannot go against the constitution of Nigeria which allows any citizen to leave anywhere in the country. He said, whoever has a lawful business running in the State, wherever they are from will be protected. And I don’t think the criminals have liberty under the law.

“The Special Adviser on security to the governor, Abiodun Ige, has set up a Joint Task Force in the border to stop kidnapping, banditry and all other crimes.”