In an effort to check criminal activities on highways in the South-West, ahead of Yuletide season, the Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, on Friday, announced a joint border patrol.
It was gathered that the patrol activity was tagged ‘Operation Gba’le Gba’ko,’ and would be in place throughout the festive season. An operation of that nature started last year.
At the event, which kicked off at Owena town – a border town between Ondo and Osun states, the Chairman of the Amotekun Corps Commanders, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the WNSN would not take anything for granted particularly when it had become the tradition of highway robbers to embark on massive and aggressive operations during Christmas period.
Adeleye, who is also the Ondo State Commander of the Amotekun Corps recalled that no fewer than 340 victims of robbery and kidnap operations were rescued and 80 snatched vehicles were rescued during last year’s edition.
He said, “Last year when Ondo and Osun states inter-border patrol commenced, we recorded very huge success. We were able to dismantle a number of kidnappers’ cells, we were able to arrest kidnappers, we were able to recover illegal arms and weapons, we were able to release kidnap victims, we were able to arrest kidnap suspects, we were able to arrest armed robbers.
“In short, we were able to reduce to the barest minimum criminal activities during last year’s Yuletide. In preparation for this year’s holiday, we had redoubled our efforts at ensuring that commuters, residents and visitors throughout this period can enjoy their holidays and they can sleep with their eyes closed. That is why we are commencing both the “Ember patrol and the inter-border patrol” activities of the Western Nigerian Security Network Agency.
“It is the collaboration of Ondo and Osun states’ officers of the Western Nigerian Security Network Agency and at a later date, we’ll be collaborating with Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo with all the other agencies in the states in the Southwest to ensure that all major roads, all villages, all forests in the Southwest part of the country are properly protected.
“This operation is tagged: “Operation Gba’ko” which means we want to ensure sanity both at home and in the forest, on the road, on the sea, and everywhere within the South-West part of this country.
“We are going to embark on 24 hours patrol, seven days a week from now till after the Christmas and New year holidays.
“The uniqueness of this “Operation Gba’le Gba’ko” is at the instance of the chairman of the Governors’ Forum of South West region, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who has graciously given us an enabling environment for us to join hands with Osun State counterpart to ensure a free flow holiday without security bridges. And this is also in collaboration with all the sister security agencies like the Police, the Army, the DSS, the Civil Defence and of course, the populace.
“That was why we had to greet them when we came, we need their information and corporation, for all of us. Security is our business, when you see something, you say something and say it to the right quarters.”
In his remarks, the Osun State Commander, Brigadier-General Bashir Adewimbi (retd) said: “I just want to advise the community to cooperate with us and make sure that this time around, we record another huge success to bring improved security to lives and property of people in the Southwest region.”
