In appreciation of its performance and to underscore the importance placed on the role of the local security outfit in maintaining security in Ondo State, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has sworn in the state’s ,Amotekun Corps commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, as his Special Adviser on Security Matters.
He swore the security chief in as a member of his cabinet on Tuesday at the State Executive Council chamber of the Governor’s office few hours after the appointment was announced.
At the event, Akeredolu disclosed that the appointment was necessitated by the need to keep the state executive council abreast of the security situation in the state.
He added that the unacceptable invasion of Ondo communities and villages by criminals masquerading as herdsmen was part of what informed his decision to have a Special Adviser who had been part of the system, saying: “When we had this threat over and over, initially, I never knew we would get to this point.
“That people will have the audacity to come to our villages and communities, killed our people and set their houses ablaze. I knew I needed to do something. Part of my immediate reactions is what you are seeing here today.
“I am a practical person. And I have seen that we are faced with a lot of challenges, particularly, one of the topmost challenges we are facing is security.
“It is important that the Exco is properly briefed on the security challenges in the state because every local government is represented at the Exco. And we are faced with security challenges all over the state.
“We decided that Exco must now make robust contributions on the issue of insecurity we are facing. I was convinced that the time has come for this state to have a Special Adviser on Security matters.”
Thanked all heads of security agencies in the state for their great efforts at keeping the state safe, he said: “I want to thank all heads of security agencies in Ondo state. I do receive text messages on daily basis on the great efforts you are making and your exploits. Police, NSCDC, the military and Amotekun, I thank you.”
While congratulating Adeleye, he described his appointment as well-deserved, adding that he has done so much in assisting the state in security matters.
Responding, Adeleye thanked the Governor for finding him worthy of the appointment, saying his commitment to the security of the state was borne out of his passion for a better Ondo State.
He promised to always work with other security agencies in the state and contribute immensely to the efforts at making Ondo state safe.
Earlier, while announcing the appointment through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olabode Olatunde, the governor said that Adeleye would continue to function as the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun Corps).
The statement described the appointment as part of the efforts of the Governor to further strengthen the security arrangement and improve the working relationship between government and security agencies in the state.
