The Royal fathers of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti have given Royal blessings to Ifeloju lion Squad, a security outfit of the LCDA.
On Friday, the twenty five members squad visited the palaces of:Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Owatapa of Itapa Ekiti, Olosin of Osin Ekiti , Owajumu of Omu Ekiti and Elejelu of Ijelu Ekiti for Royal blessings and to register their readiness and presence to effectively secure the five communities that make up Ifeloju LCDA, Ilupeju Ekiti.
While advising members of the security outfit in his palace, the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba David Sunday Awe Akingbade charged them to be timely in responding to distress calls, saying their job requires all moral etiquettes and total dedication to duty.
He Further advised the Ifeloju lion Squad to be diligent, obedient and contended with whatever given to them in the course of their assignment.
The chairman of the LCDA security Committee who is also the Chief of Staff to the LCDA Chairman, Pastor Olu Olosunde said twenty-five members of the squad were selected from the five towns, adding that they have undergone both military and para-military training by top brass on the nitty-gritty of effective security to complement government security personnel.
Pastor Olosunde, a security expert, opined that, security requires public-private and government partnership for effectiveness. According to him “Government alone cannot successfully 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” Hence, all hands must be on deck.
He added that part of the duties of the outfit would be to safeguard Ilupeju, Ire, Omu-Ijelu, Osin-Itapa borders, other black spots, protect masses and government properties, lives and checkmate social vices that threaten peaceful existence of the people.
On the ‘modus operandi’ of the squad, Pastor Olosunde said the security personnel would be divided into four zones: Ilupeju, Itapa, Ijelu/Omu and Central Zone, stressing that each zone would be manned by five personnel while the central zone would serve as coordinating unit for the entire squad.
Responding on behalf of the LCDA, the Deputy Director of Administration, Mr Seun Babalola appreciated the five Royal fathers for their unflinching support towards the rapid growth of the LCDA, pledging the commitment of Ifeloju lion Squad to the five communities of the LCDA.
Mr Seun who re-affirmed the commitment of Comrade Ogunmilugba to securing lives and properties of ifeloju LCDA inhabitants, solicited the cooperation of the communities to volunteer accurate information to the squad to keep activities of marauders and criminal minded persons at bay.
Recall that Comrade Ogunmilugba had prioritized the security of lives and properties of inhabitants of the LCDA through his interventions which include: Regular provision of logistics to police, Amotekun, Civil Defense officers and procurement of four BAJAG motor cycles, security gadgets for the newly created Ifeloju Lion Squad for their operations.
Members of the Lion Squad embarked on street show at Ilupeju Ekiti, Osin, Itapa, and Omu- Ijelu to demonstrate their readiness to combat crimes in the communities