Security
GOV. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said that he would not give up the fight against insecurity to ensure safety of lives and property of residents of the state.
Akeredolu, represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Oladuni Odu, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the maiden Security Summit, organised by Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit, tagged: “Living with Security Challenges in a Non-Residential University Setting”, was borne out of the security challenges being faced by the institution’s students in their off-campus accommodations.
Akeredolu also urged students of the institution to shun cultism, indecent dressing, night crawling and other social vices which, he said, could make them to be victims of crime and criminals activities.
“Security of lives and property of residents is not negotiable and the governor is not resting on his oars in fighting against insecurity in order to guarantee safety in the state.
“Residents should engender unity among themselves and cooperate with the police and other security agencies by living in secure and safe environment,” Akeredolu said.
Meanwhile, Mr Babatubde Akinola, Chief Executive Officer, Europa Executive and Guards Limited, said that the problems of insecurity in the country stemmed from under-policing the citizens.
Akinola, who spoke on the sub-theme: “Campus Security: Implication for Sustainable Development,” commended OAUSTECH for the summit and urged management to place premium on security issues.
“We must also engage in personal and technological way of safety like CCTV cameras and other security gadgets to ensure tight security in and outside the campus,” Akinola said.
Also speaking, the Police Area Commander in Okitipupa Local Government Area, ACP Emmanuel Idowu, attributed the current security challenge in the country to long time neglect by successive governments and corporate organisations.
Idowu, represented by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ode-Irele Police Station, SP Oluwole Ogodo, spoke on the sub-theme: “Crime Prevention: Community Participation.”
According to him, it is the duty of all citizens to fight insecurity to a standstill.
“The Nigerian Police Force is the most ubiquitous agency in the security sector but police personnel alone cannot fight insecurity. They need the cooperation of all by engaging in community policing to stem criminal activities,” Idowu said.
Earlier, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, said that the summit had become expedient owing to the high rate of insecurity in the country.
He added that there had been several reports of violent crimes against some students who had taken up accommodations in their host communities.
“Some of these crimes, both confirmed and unconfirmed, include rape, armed robbery, assault, battery, burglaries and threat to life, among others.
“Most of these crimes have led to students’ unrest, agitations, protests and disruption of academic calendars,” Ogunduyile said.
Chairperson, Security Summit Planning Committee, Dr Aderonke Ikuomola, also said that the summit was aimed at finding suitable measures, tools and right mindset to curb and eradicate incessant crimes against students and staffers of the institution.
Speaking on behalf of students, the Students’ Union President, Mr Damilola Okunomo, urged the state government and the institution’s management to foster relationship that would ensure completion of all abandoned hostels in the institution to guarantee students’ safety.
NAN reports that representatives of the Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Correctional Service and Amotekun as well as traditional rulers, students and residents of host communities attended the summit.
NAN
– July 28, 2021 @ 17:48 GMT |
Tags: Akeredolu assures Ondo residents I’ll not give up in fight against insecurity
