By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Local Government Chairmen in Ekiti State have been asked to take full responsibility for security situation in their jurisdiction.
Ekiti state said it is ready to provide necessary assistance to ensure Local Government Chairmen live up to expectations a locals.
Nigeria runs an uneven Federal system where security architecture is centralised making it difficult for State Governors to record optimum output.
The Ekiti State Government however on Wednesday asked the Chairmen to focus on possibilities and existing opportunities within available resources.
Ekiti has enjoyed relative, comparative peace but this week armed herdsmen struck again, killing one and kidnapping some five farm workers at Ilejemeje area of the state.
The Chairman of the State Security and Intelligence committee, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd) at the third quarterly meeting of the committee on Wednesday stressed the need for council chairmen to synergize with government to bring permanent end to reports of insecurity in the state.
While affirming that Ekiti State has been enjoying relative peace in recent times, Gen. Ogundana, who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, condemned in its entirety the current wave of kidnapping and insecurity in some areas, assuring residents that government was already on top of the situation as it has beefed up security on all fronts to ensure protection of lives and properties of innocent residents.
He hinged the security problem the state is facing on incursion from neighbouring states that has high level of insecurity. He, however, added that government was already taking action to curtail the embarrassing situation through various proactive measures government is taking in that directions.
Describing the kidnapping incident that happened between Isan and Iludun as unfortunate, Gen Ogundana however stated that there was a swift response from the Commandant of Command Secondary School, Isan Ekiti who detailed a patrol team that was able to rescue the victim who was shot by taking him to the hospital.
“You observed well that we have been enjoying relative peace in the state, but early this week, we woke up to some ugly news. That is why Governor Oyebanji directed that this meeting should be convened. We shall also convey a meeting of the security agencies and other stakeholders to review our security architecture and arrangement so that we can control some of these security challenges we are facing.
“I am using this opportunity to assure all residents of Ekiti state that the Governor is up to the task and as one of his primary responsibilities, which is to protect lives and properties, he is up to the task with security agencies he put in place, the security structure that we have in Ekiti state today which had been making everyone to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“Problems are bound to happen, but it is the ability to respond to it that is needed. And we assure you that Mr Governor is capable with his security team to ensure that we have peace in Ekiti state”. He stated.
Also briefing Journalists, Ekiti state Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Oluwasegun Ojo said council chairmen were already collaborating strategically with a number of security agencies in their efforts to ensure effective policing at the grassroots.
Ojo, who is the Chairman of Ekiti East Local Government assured residents of protection of lives and property as he restated critical roles security play in socio-economic development of the direction.
Present at the meeting which took place at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Ofrice, Ado-Ekiti were chairmen of the local government areas and local Council Development areas.