The Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Shehu has commended South West Governors over the Amotekun initiative which was aimed at tackling insecurity in the region.
He added that the Corps may signal the beginning of State Police in Nigeria.
The Chairman made the disclosure, during a courtesy visit to the Amotekun Command Headquarters in Akure, Ondo State capital.
Represented by , RMAFC Commissioner and Team leader, Muhammad Kabeer, Shehu lauded the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as well as other Governors in the region over their efforts at ensuring that continue to reign in their domain.
“We want to commend Governor Akeredolu and other Governors in the southwest state for coming up with the noble initiative which has continued to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the area. Maybe, this would be the beginning of State Police in Nigeria”, he stated.
While commenting on funding of the Agency for maximum performance, he described the request as very germane.
“We have heard of your financial request, and we can see that you deserve more than what you are requesting for because this is about saving lives and and it is one of the fundamental duties of every government.
” We have seen commitment, qualities and real patriotism. We can see that Mr. Governor have not set this Security outfit as a joke. It is not cosmetic.
“We will convey your message to our Chairman who has sent us and we also ask that the state Governor gives a certain percentage to Amotekun to access stabilisation fund and it is our prayer that some part of it gets to the needs of the Corps.
Earlier, Ondo State Commander of the State Security Network Agency Codenamed Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye lauded the Commission for the visit and its readiness to support the Corps.
While describing funding as a challenge facing the performance of the Corps, he thanked Governor Akeredolu who has continued to ensure that the Corps continued to nip crimes in the bud, but added that they need more supports in the area of funding for equipment to holistically tackle crimes and ensure that people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed.
“One major advantage that we have is that we understand the terrain and we have the men, but we don’t have the equipments.
“Our security architecture is enhanced by very good communication equipment that we have, but it is grossly inadequate, but functional.
” For over two and a half years now, I can say we are worse kit in the face of enormous security challenges which may affect the socio-economic growth of the state.
“Within our first six months of coming on board, we received over 5,000 petitions from farmers complaining that they were being robbed, Kidnapped and their livestock and farmlands destroyed, but within our we limited resources, we were able to arrest the situation.
“Ondo State is the gateway to the entire south west region. You would have been saving future generations if you assist us with adequate fund to cushion the challenge of inadequate funding”, he said.
Speaking further, the Amotekun Commander lamented the security situations in some local government area in the state, saying “In Ifon, bandits have robbed one bank four times, just because it is at the boarder of Ondo and Edo axis.
He also mentioned the gruesome massacre of Church worshipers in Owo a couple of months ago.
“We need to respond simultaneously whenever robbers struck and this can be effectively done through 24/7 patrol, hence the dire need for supports.
“You can imagine a whole local government with one car.
Graciously, Governor Akeredolu gave us additional patrol vehicle per local government. We have what it takes to effectively control the security systems in Ondo state, but we need more funding, he stressed.
Adeleye expressed that ” despite our inadequacy, we are we are still able to use the little equipment we have to monitor parts of the forest,but we would have wanted a Satellite Based tracker.
“Thank God we have not lost our personnel, but it’s just the grace of God and support of people. But it would have been easier for us with modern equipment to track down bandits.
“With such equipment, we would be able to see from a remote position. So we are looking at a situation where within the ambit of the law setting up the Corps, we are allowed to use non prohibited fire arms, we don’t even have money for it. What we have are Dane guns and Pump actions that can not stand the fire power of there criminals”, he said.
Those in attendance from RMAFC and From Federal Ministry of Finance
were; Balogun Clement, Adegun Ganiyat Akande Suleiman, Usman Moh, Salamatu Bala, Hassan Usman, Barr. Patrick Nwosu Ngbebu, Tokunbo Ajah, Amito Philip and Balogun Adebay
, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Finance, Omobuga Femi, Akinseli Gbenga, Ambali Abiodun, Adeshina Omolade, and Olaoye Michael.
