The Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun Corps has lamented the non-cooperation of some members of the communities where they man.
The corps said some unscrupulous individuals attacked its men while fighting crime in their communities.
The state Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who spoke with journalists in Akure, the state capital, called on the community leaders, and traditional rulers to caution their subjects and the parents too to warn their children against attacking security agents who take risks to protect them.
According to him, in spite of the fact the Amotekun operatives were armed, they were attacked because the community people knew they would not be shot by the trained security agents.
He said, “It is unfortunate that we have overcome the issue of banditry in our state, but we are being faced with attacks from our people whom we are protecting.
“There was an incident where we went to restore peace where two groups were fighting. When they sighted us, the two groups faced us and started shooting, throwing stones at us. We lost one of our men in the process. Throughout this incident, we didn’t engage them in a gun duel. We succeeded in arresting some of them.
“It’s high time our community leaders, traditional rulers, parents and guidance educated their people that we are security agencies protecting them through conventional and unconventional means.
“They should stop attacking our men. Though we have instructed and trained our men not to shoot when being provoked, anyone who attacks our men shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
“Let me educate these unscrupulous individuals that Amotekun Corps is a product of a legislative act by the Ondo State House of Assembly. Anyone found breaching the law and order of the land would be arrested and prosecuted by Amotekun Corps.
“Amotekun Corps was not established as a rival security agency but rather to complement the operations of other existing security agencies in the state to protect life and property of the citizenry.”
Adeleye disclosed that one of the officials of the Amotekun corps was attacked with a farm tool, by a suspect who was resisting arrest, saying though the official attacked was armed but he didn’t shoot his attacker who was eventually arrested.
“The affected corp was saved by the Trauma Centre of the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital in Ondo having lost much blood,”, the commander stated.
In the preparation for the Yuletide season, Adeleye, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Security Matters, assured the travellers going through Ondo and Osun states, of safe trips.
He said criminals operating, particularly along Ife/Ilesha/Akure highway have been dislodged from the forests along the axis.
Credit: Punch