Akeredolu Alerts On Possible Jail Break In Ondo, Accuses The Military

By Ayodele Oni

The crisis between Ondo State Government and Nigeria Army deepened as Military authority redeployed soldiers attached to the three Correctional Centres vin the state.

The soldiers from the 323 Cantonment had earlier been withdrawn from the various check points across the State towards the end of 2021.

This was the climax of a rift between the new Commanding officer of the Brigade and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The State Government has, however, deployed officers of the South-west Security, code-named Amotekun, to fill the gap created by the withdrawal by soldiers.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu received briefings from the new Commissioner of police in the State, Mr Oyediran Oyeyemi, that soldiers attached to Correctional Centres in Akure, Ondo, Owo and Okitipupa had been withdrawn.

The fuming Governor, who expressed surprised at the development, which may likely cause jail break, condemned, in strong terms, the withdrawal of men of the Nigerian Army from the Correctional Centers across the State.

He accused the Army of inducing steps toward jail breaks.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, Governor Akeredolu wondered why soldiers could be withdrawn from Correctional Centers which belong to the Federal Government.

“Last night, Governor Akeredolu received reports from the Commissioner of Police in the state that Soldiers attached to the Correctional Centres in the State have all been withdrawn.

“This development came as a surprise, considering the fact that both the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Correctional Centers belong to the Federal Government.

“The Governor was more bothered about the overflow effect of the soldiers withdrawal on the security situation in the State. More so that such action could easily encourage jail breaks across the state.

“It is, however, pertinent to alert members of the public and the Federal Government of this unwholesome situation.

“Findings into the remote cause of this action has only revealed that it was an order from above without corresponding details.

“The situation, notwithstanding, proactive efforts have been made to secure these centers so as not to allow premeditated jail breaks as whoever gave order to withdraw those soldiers was in the process of encouraging such.”

Governor Akeredolu has met with other Security Heads in the State, particularly the Police, and charged them to take over the responsibility of internal security in the state.

“While we believe that the Federal Government has a duty to protect the prisons, we are more concerned about the security of our people across the state.

“A jail break will not only threaten the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the state, it will pose serious danger to our people .

“Governor Akeredolu has met with the security heads and the Police has since last night taken up the responsibility of internal security by deploying armed Police officers to these correctional centers.

“Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) whose main assignment is to secure Federal Government facilities, has also deployed armed officers to the correctional facilities.

“Governor Akeredolu has also directed the deployment of men of the State Security Network (Amotekun) to complement the Police and the NSCDC.

“This is to ensure that any premeditated action  is tamed and resisted with commensurate force.”