In an effort to check criminal activities on the highways in the South-West, ahead of Yuletide season, the Western Nigeria Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, on Friday commenced a joint border patrol.
It was gathered that the patrol activity tagged ‘Operation Gba’le Gba’ko,’ would be in place throughout the festive season.
The first edition of the operation 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, Commander Akogun 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 the 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 the Ondo State and the Osun State 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.
“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, everywhere within the South-Western part of this country.
“We are going to embark on 24-hour patrol, seven days of the week from now till after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
In his remarks, the Osun State Commander, Brig. Gen. 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.”
