…Seeks establishment of military base in Ekiti
Following the recent swift deployment of military personnels to beef up security in Ekiti State after the unfortunate upsurge in cases of kidnappings and killings, the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Amb. Michael Ogungbemi has hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s quality leadership.
Ogungbemi said the swift response of the governor leading to massive deployment of military personnel, further confirmed the Governor’s determination and commitment to secure Ekiti and boost investments across all the tiers of government.
The council boss, who regretted the recent cases of abductions and killings in Ekiti hailed the All Progressives Congress – led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for mulling the establishment of Armed Forest Guards to smoke criminals out of Nigerian forests and buoy farming and safety of the citizens.
Ogungbemi said this in a statement in Ayedun Ekiti, headquarters of Ajoni LCDA, on Wednesday while applauding the Federal Government for displaying readiness to partner the governor in order to rid the state of incidences of kidnappings and senseless killings.
Commending Governor Oyebanji for exhibiting quality leadership to tame criminals in Ekiti, Ogungbemi added that the governor’s network with relevant agencies of government like the military, the Nigeria Police force and other security agencies have started bearing positive fruits that would reinforce safety of the citizens.
Ogungbemi however, sought the creation of a permanent military base in Ekiti, describing the move as another pragmatic way to foster security and ward off criminal elements.
He said Ekiti people were elated with the military personnel deployment and their readiness to comb all criminal infested forests, particularly the sprawling bushes in border areas and government reserves where these goons were carrying out their nefarious activities.
The council boss pleaded with Ekiti communities to cooperate with the military by giving veracious information about suspicious movements that would strengthen intelligence gatherings prowess and ingenuity to be able to discharge their duties more effectively and dexterously.
His words; “The whole Ekiti has seen the quality leadership in Governor Oyebanji with massive military deployment after the gory and harrowing experiences of the killings of two prominent traditional rulers and abduction of school children.
“With this action taken by our governor in partnership with the federal government, Ekiti will be hot for these blood sucking criminals wherever they are.
“Those who are committing these atrocious and bestial acts are not spirits, they live and even transact businesses in the localities, so our people must be vigilant. They must report every suspected movement to the military for prompt action. This is the best way to make them succeed in the task of restoring safety in our dear state”.
On the federal government’s proposed establishment of Forest Guards to restore safety in the forests, Ogungbemi, described the policy as apt and timely, saying its personnel will complement the military and local security networks.
“I commend President Tinubu for thinking outside the box to solve this problem. I am particularly happy because the Forest Guards will bear arms. This will give them enough bravery and strength to confront these vampires.
“But I want to suggest that those that will be employed into the Guard should be locals who understand the terrain and geography of the forest areas”.
