Akeredolu meets Security chiefs, Traditional rulers, Miyetti Allah over kidnapping spate

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday met with security chiefs, Traditional rulers as well as leadership of Miyetti Allah over the recent spate of kidnapping in the state.

Governor Akeredolu told the Miyetti Allah to join hands with the security agencies in ensuring that the dreaded kidnappers terrorising the people of the state are arrested.

At the meeting held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor's office, Alagbaka, Akure and which lasted for over four hours, the governor charged the security chiefs, Traditional rulers and the the leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers and the Hausa community, to join hands together and end the reigns of kidnappers in the state.

Governor Akeredolu said his administration was not going to allow the peaceful nature of the Sunshine State which, he said has been attracting investors to the state be truncated by misguided elements.

He said the state government would henceforth ensure that the full force of the law falls hard on any person or group of persons found to be directly or indirectly aiding acts of criminality in the state.

Similarly, the Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade Acute, Brigadier General James Ataguba, said the leaders of the Myetti Allah must call their members to order and get those in captivity released immediately otherwise the criminals won't be shown mercy when caught.

He said his men are joining forces with other security agencies in the state to end the ugly trend.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, ACP Tijani said the security agencies were battle ready to make the state uncomfortable for kidnappers. He said criminals would not be given breathing space in the state.

In his own remark, the State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commander Pedro Awili Ideba said it would be better for the leaders of Miyeti Allah and the Hausa community to put their acts together by cooperating with security agencies to fish out those threatening the peace of the state among them rather than allow miscreants tarnish their reputation.

The State Chairman of Miyeti Allah, Alhaji Bello Mohammed promised to expose whoever is found wanting among his people .

He said he was no longer prepared to continue to bear the blames of unscrupulous persons within his members.

The Seriki Hausa of Ikare, Alhaji Ibrahim Angolo who prayed that those aiding or abetting abductors in the state would be exposed very soon, suggested an all-ethnic vigilante squad.

Earlier in the day, Governor Akeredolu had held long hours of meeting with royal fathers from across the state.

Before the meeting went into closed door session, the governor expressed deep concern about reported cases of kidnapping in parts of the state.

He urged the monarchs to join hands with the state government and the security agencies to arrest the situation, saying the government cannot fold its arms and allow the peace of the state is being threatened by criminals.

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