Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has signed the Ekiti State Security Network Agency Bill 2029 into Law with warning to criminals to steer clear of the state.
Speaking on Monday in Ado Ekiti while signing the passed bill, which established and give legal backing to the operation of Amotekun Corps in the state into law said, “There is no hiding place for criminal as Amotekun Corps will get you wherever you hide”.
He called on investors from all over the world to come and establish businesses in the state, assuring their lives and properties will be adequately secured.
The governor who noted that the resilience of Ekiti people and Yoruba race brought the security outfit to the full operation said, “Since the advent of democracy in 1999, this is the first time when Yoruba people will speak with one voice without political or religious considerations”.
Harping on why the regional security outfit was formed, Fayemi said, “As a responsible and responsive government, it is our belief that security is significant and we won’t toy with the security of lives and property.
“The current challenges of the proliferation of small arms, ritual killings, banditry, youth restiveness, cattle rustling, insurgency, and terrorism are daunting.
“In tackling some of these menaces, which surfaced in the southwest region, the governors in the zone officially launched Western Nigeria Security Network in Ibadan on Jan 20, 2020, at and the bill that will form the legal framework was passed by the State House of Assembly.
“Let me clarify that Amotekun will help the police to arrest, gather intelligence and information, arrest and prosecution of criminals, tackle illegal mining, land trespass, cattle rustling, destruction of crops, trespass into farmlands, cultism, highway robbery, among others.
“Amotekun is not a substitute for the existing security networks, but a compliment to it. It is not for Ekiti people alone, but for everybody. As long as you are a resident in Ekiti, you enjoy the right to be protected, so it is not for the indigenes alone.
“Crime fighting is a collective responsibility. Those perpetrating crimes are living among us and let us be vigilant and help the Amotekun Corps fish out criminals in our midst”, he said.