Oyo State Amotekun has said it has curbed the kidnapping menace on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway adding that suspected kidnappers have been arrested on the Oyo-Ogun-Lagos route.
The outfit specifically stated that the suspected abductors of Professor Agbaje, a former deputy vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan and others had been arrested alongside their weapons, adding that safety and normalcy had returned to the area.
The Commandant of Amotekun in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd), told reporters in Offa, Kwara State on the sidelines a colloquium organised by Galaxy Clique, Offa, a social-cultural group.
The theme of the colloquium was ‘Emerging trends and insecurity in our communities: Challenges and solutions’.
He said, “Both Oyo and Ogun states government have moved together and had joint security team. In the last six weeks, we have been on that road. I can tell you that no single incident has happened on the road.
“I can also tell you that the kidnappers of Professor Agbaje and others have been mopped-up. We have been able to arrest all the people involved. The first thing we did was to mop-up their weapons. They were about five in number. We did that through the intelligence that the people gave us.
“The police were able to follow-up using technology to arrest every member of that group. Since then no incident of kidnapping along that axis.”
In his presentation at the lecture, former Director, National Military Strategy, National Defence College, Abuja, Air Vice Marshal Ishaq Balogun (retd), said that terrorism is being tamed in Nigeria.
He added that between March and July 29 this year, there was pervasive air of fear and uncertainty as the security situation was frightening and worrisome.
“It was after the meeting of stakeholders to fashion out new strategies of fighting the insecurity that led to the gradual abatement of the situation.
“From July till date, terror is being tamed in Nigeria. I bet you if terror is tamed we are going to have peace, because other issues like armed robbery, banditry and others siding terrorism will give way.”
The ex-air force chief said that state governors are a major key to insecurity solution in the country. He also called on state governors to give adequate support and assistance to security agencies to tackle “worrisome” security challenges.
He urged state governors to improve relationship with security agencies and organise regular show of force, saying the only language understood by terrorists is show of force.
“If all the security outfits were supported to do what they’re supposed to do, we wouldn’t have gotten to this level. The military forces owe governors military assistance to constituted authorities and military assistance to civil authorities. With this, I wonder why some state governors will feel that they can’t issue directives to chief command of military or police in emergencies.
“Please, let’s know that anywhere military or police is sited, they should assist to serve the interest of that area. We are supposed to relate with military in our areas to help prevent insecurity,” he said.
