The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye has enjoined Ifeloju Lion Squad, security personnel to discharge their responsibilities diligently and ensure members of the communities were not molested.
The Speaker gave the advice while inaugurating the security team on Tuesday at the permanent secretariat of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti.
Citing relevant sections of Nigeria constitution that allowed lives and properties of citizens to be adequately safeguarded, Hon Aribasoye urged the security men to be vigilant and be at alert at all times. He however advised them not to misuse the power given to them in combatting crimes.
Worried about insecurity in Nigeria,
the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba established a security team named ” Ifeloju Lion Squad” to work with armed forces in the area to protect lives and properties of ifeloju residents.
The Chairman who noted that no meaningful development could thrive in a chaotic and unsafe society where residents live in fear day and night, saying less than 40 security personnel were officially assigned to secure Ifeloju communities.
Attesting to the activities of the Squad, Comrade Ogunmilugba said stealing of goats, farm produce, fighting at social gatherings and Social vices have drastically reduced
In an interview, the Chief of Staff, to the LCDA Boss, a security expert, Pastor Olu Olosunde hinted that the 25 personnel and 10 detectives of the squad were selected from the five towns were trained by military and para- military top brass on the nitty- gritty of effective security.
According to Pastor Olosunde,” security requires public-private and Government partnership for effectiveness. Government alone can not succesfully secure all nooks and crannies of our communities, towns and cities without the input of Local Government chairmen, traditional rulers and critical stakeholders in the areas”
He added that part of the duties of Ifeloju Lion Squad was to safeguard Ilupeju- Ire, Omu-Ijelu, Osin – Itapa borders, protect masses and Government properties, lives and checkmate social vices among others.
Speaking on the squad operation, Pastor Olosunde said the security personnel were divided into four zones: Ilupeju, Itapa, Ijelu/Omu and Central Zones, saying each zone was manned by five personnel while the central zone served as coordinating unit for the entire squad.
The Chairman who reiterated that effective security was capital intensive, stressing that Ifeloju LCDA, Ilupeju Ekiti would partner Ekiti State Government and residents of the five towns for funding.”Presently, I doubt if there is any Local Government in Ekiti state that can successfully run security outfit without the financial support of the state government and the citizenry of the area concerned”
The Local Government Boss procured four motorcycles, security gadgets for the Squad, promised Regular training, retraining of the Squad and good salary package. He advised inhabitants of Ifeloju to volunteer information to the corps who has been working harmoniously with Government military men to ward off criminal activities.
Recall, few months into the administration of Comrade Ogunmilugba, the Police, Civil Defense and Amotekun corps were provided motorcycles and logistics which aided their operation in the area.