Ondo: Dismantling Of Military Check Points: Amotekun Corps Takes Over Highways

By Ayodele Oni

The dismantling of Military check points in Ondo State is taking its toll on activities of other security agencies in the State, especially the Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps.

Investigations reveal that since the soldiers were withdrawn to barracks about a month ago, Amotekun corps has been over stretched to the extent that some of their traditional functions are being abandoned.

Corps members of the security outfit now engage mainly in manning roads blocks and patrolling highways which were hitherto the functions of soldiers.

Since the beginning of this month, owners of vehicles with tainted glasses, without valid papers have been facing problems with members of the Amotekun security outfit.

The Commander of the security outfit, Chief Adetunji Adeleye has, however, defended the activities of the Corps insisting that the ongoing searching of unregistered vehicles and those with  tainted glasses is to foil plot by criminal elements and bandits to launch attacks in the State.

He said the operation is in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, ( NSDC) noting that relevant enabling law empowers Amotekun Corps to collaborate with other security agencies to track criminals on major roads.

The Commander explained that over 50 unregistered vehicles have been impounded while others were seized for using tainted glass without police permit.

According to him, intelligent reports indicated that 80 percent of crimes being committed in Ondo State and neighbouring States were perpetrated with Okada, tainted and unregistered vehicles.

Chief Adeleye denied that his men and other security agents on the roads in the last few days were checking phones or demanding vehicle particulars, describing such as a mere cheap blackmail, which could not stop the security operatives from protecting the citizenry during this yuletide and beyond.

“For benefit of doubt, section 5(A) of the Ondo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law empowers us to collaborate with other security agencies to track criminals on major roads. The law is in public domain.”

Chief Adeleye stated that impounded vehicles must first register and obtain permit for tainted glass from relevant government’s agency and the police before they would be released to owners.

He cautioned owners to immediately register their unregistered vehicles and obtain police permit to avoid such from being impounded.