Residents of the Owena-Ayetoro community in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have sent an urgent appeal to the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, requesting the immediate establishment of an operational base in their area to tackle rising kidnapping and general insecurity.
The plea was contained in a letter addressed to the State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, and signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the community’s security committee, Mr. Charles Akinwon and Mr. Olorunsola Olutosoye, respectively.
According to the community leaders, the demand for a dedicated base stems from mounting apprehension and constant fear, as the area has increasingly become a hideout for armed bandits and criminal elements.
Highlighting recent security breaches, the community noted that bandits took over a former military checkpoint in the area on July 29, during which a resident was shot and a young boy working at a nearby location was kidnapped. The gunshot victim remains under intensive care at a hospital in Akure. They also pointed to another July incident where a suspect caught with harmful weapons was apprehended and handed over to the Idanre unit of the corps.
The committee emphasised that Owena-Ayetoro has already taken proactive steps to host the security outfit by securing and partially furnishing a suitable building for use as an operational station.
Noting that previous written and oral submissions, including physical visits to the agency’s office, had been made, the leaders urged the Amotekun command to accord their request speedy consideration to restore peace and protect lives in the community.
