The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, has called on Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his Ogun and Ekiti States counterparts, Dapo Abiodun and Biodun Oyebamiji, to empower the South-West Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps in their respective states, to arrest rising cases of kidnapping.
Speaking at this year’s annual Oodua Festival held at the Palace Square, Ile-Ife on Tuesday, Adams, who also doubles as the OPC National Coordinator, said governors in the South West must support Amotekun to achieve maximum security in the region.
Adams, while responding to questions bordering on the recent rise in cases of kidnapping in Osun State, also said Oyo and Ondo States were providing more funds for Amotekun when compared to other states in the region.
He said, “They should empower the local organisations and the Amotekun. They will complement the effort of the police and other security agencies. Security is not about the government alone. All hands must be on the deck to make sure we have adequate security. The government should coordinate local security organisations, Amotekun, and Nigeria police to achieve a very good result.
Oyo State supported Amotekun, mobilised up to 3,000 and gave them equipment and they have been doing well.
“In Oyo and Ondo states, Amotekun is doing well but in Ekiti, Osun, and Ogun, Amotekun is not pronounced like Oyo and Ondo. Lagos State is not doing it. We have to use what we have to achieve what we want.”
Adams also urged South-West governors to invest in tourism to boost their Internally Generated Revenue.