By Ayodele Oni
Ondo state government has admitted that there is an astronomical upsurge in crime rate in the state of recent.
In the last one week, not less than 50 persons, including market women and local government workers have fallen victims of kidnapping by gunmen operating along Iwo/Benin/Akoko axis of the state.
The state government has, therefore, put in place measures to curtail the trend.
A statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, listed some of the measures to include reduction of working hours for commercial motorcycle riders popularly called okada.
The statement reads “Ondo State Government has noted with concern, the worrisome spike in crime rate across the State. In particular, security reports at the disposal of Government are considered signs deserving of serious attention.
“Specifically, the last one week witnessed an unimaginable upsurge in robbery, kidnapping and in some cases, murder. This is no doubt, condemenable.
“Government, therefore, urges all security agencies to come out and confront this abhorent development. Every necessary support in terms of both human and logistics aids shall be provided to ensure the safety of residents within the State.
“As a Government, one major responsibility is the provision of security as well as protection of lives and property. In this regard, measures aimed at achieving such goals are the least Government can enunciate.
“Consequently, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN has directed with immediate effect as follows:
“That all commercial motorcycle operators, otherwise known as Okada, are to, henceforth, operate within the hours of 6 am and 6 pm. In other words, none in this category shall operate beyond 6 pm in the evening. Anyone found flouting this directive shall have his motorcycle impounded.
“That all vehicles with unauthorized tinted glasses are hereby banned from plying the roads. Every of such vehicle without a duly certified permit issued by a relevant security agency shall be impounded.
“Finally, it is pertinent to reiterate that security enhancement and war against insecurity are everybody’s responsibility. While Government and the security agencies play their parts, it is expected that the citizens also support by way of collaborating with the relevant agencies of Government.
“In this regard, residents of the State are urged to provide useful information about crime, criminal elements and activities in their immediate environment.”
