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A Joint Task Force, JTF, comprising the military, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC and the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has embarked on a statewide show of force to combat rising insecurity.
The operation, which marks the second phase of ‘Operation Le Won Jade,’ aims at tackling criminal activities across different parts of the state.
The security exercise was led by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Lawal; the Commandant of Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye and the Commanding Officer of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
Speaking during the flag-off of the operation, Amotekun Corps’ Commandant, Adeleye said the joint security effort was designed to intensify the fight against criminal elements, particularly kidnappers, armed robbers and other perpetrators of violent crimes in the state.
He added that the task force would patrol both urban areas and forests to ensure that criminal hideouts are dismantled.
He said, “You can see that men of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the Civil Defence, and the Amotekun Corps are firmly on ground. We are going to move on foot, motorcycles and vehicles to all the nooks and crannies of the state.”
He added that the operation would extend into forest areas as security operatives intensify efforts to flush out criminals from their hideouts.
He added, “After covering the towns, we will move into the forests to carry out phase two of the ‘Operation ‘Le Won Jade.’ The aim is to drive miscreants out of the forests and push kidnappers away from those areas.”
Adeleye noted that most kidnapping incidents in the state often occur on the outskirts of towns rather than within the main urban centres.
“When people mention places like Oda, some assume it is inside the town or Akure metropolis, but many of the incidents happen in isolated areas far away from the town. We are going to move into those locations and ensure that criminal elements are driven out.”
The Amotekun commandant also called on residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
He cited a recent incident around the Oba-Ile axis where swift collaboration among security agencies led to the arrest of suspected criminals within minutes.
He continued, “We need the support of the public. If there are black spots or suspicious movements in any area, people should inform security agencies promptly. Timely and actionable information will help us respond effectively.”
He assured residents that the operation would be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.
The Hope
