Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has commenced air and ground surveillance of schools across the state as part of efforts to ensure a safe resumption for students in the new academic session.
Amotekun commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the operation followed a directive by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prevent bandits, cultists and other criminal elements from taking advantage of school resumption to threaten pupils and students
He said the security exercise involves the deployment of drones and patrol teams to monitor schools and surrounding forests across the 18 local government areas, with special attention on border communities and vulnerable locations.
Adetunji explained that all security agencies in the state had intensified efforts to guarantee the safety of residents and sustain a peaceful environment for educational and socio-economic activities
According to him, Amotekun recently acted on intelligence provided by a school principal after suspected cultists were sighted in a forest less than 200 metres from the school’s fence.
“Immediately we received the intelligence, we deployed our aerial surveillance team to the area. We discovered illegal occupants and miscreants hiding in the forest and took immediate action,” Adeleye said.
He added that the surveillance operation would continue indefinitely until the agency is satisfied that there are no security threats around schools.
Adeleye urged school principals and administrators to keep Amotekun’s emergency distress line, 0807 999 9989, for quick response to any security incident.
Reacting to the initiative, the Principal of Seat of Wisdom Catholic College, Alagbaka, Akure, Rev. Fr. Iku Augustine, commended the Ondo State Government for strengthening security around schools.
He described the deployment of drones as a laudable initiative, noting that the school had maintained a close working relationship with Amotekun on security matters even before the latest intervention.
“We do not joke with security in our school. We have always collaborated with Amotekun, and the introduction of drone surveillance is a welcome development that will further enhance the safety of our students and staff,” he said
The Hope
