Security: Ekiti Government To Fortify Police

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; AIG, Zone 8, Mr. Chris Dega; and State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sontoye Wakama, during a Condolence visit by the AIG to the Governor, in Ado-Ekiti.

The Ekiti State Government is set to strengthen the State Command of the Nigerian Police with fleets of patrol vehicles and communication gadgets as part of measures to help curb spill-over crimes from other neighbouring States.

The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi made this known in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 8, Mr. Chris Dega, who was in the State on a condolence visit; saying that the gesture is also aimed at making the State more conducive for investment.

While lamenting the shortage of Police personnel in the State, Dr. Fayemi called on the leadership of the Nigerian Police to ensure that  officers posted to Ekiti State do not lobby their transfers out of the State, adding that this has led to shortage of personnel in the State.

“There are things you may be aware I have raised with the IG and I supposed you would have been briefed in the course of your coming here. The big issue on the table that I have always raised is the way and manner officers and men transferred to Ekiti manage to get themselves out of Ekiti, thereby leading to shortage of the men we are supposed to have. If you look at your record, you will notice that Ekiti is far lower in terms of men and officers than your supply of officer necessitate”, he said.

The Governor said though men of the Nigerian Police are doing well in the State, the shortage has created some gaps which needed to be covered to prevent any criminal occurrences.

Fayemi who noted that some of the personnel have been posted to the northern part of the country to curb the Boko Haram menace, however stressed that security agencies also need to pay adequate attention to Ekiti state since it is the gateway state from the northern part to the South West.

On the death of his Deputy, Fayemi stated that the late Mrs Funmilayo Olayinka played active role in security council activities by virtue of her statutory responsibility and had very warmth relationship with Security Agencies in the State.

While also addressing his visitors from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum led by its Director-General, Mr Asishana Okauru, the Governor said he was very lucky to have had a deputy like Mrs Olayinka who was very passionate about the transformation of the State.

Fayemi said though Olayinka was not a professional politician, she came into politics with a commitment that was unparalleled and her loyalty was doubtless; saying this gave no room for distractions.

He said that though the late Deputy Governor’s life was short, it was eventful and full of service to the people.

Others who paid condolence visit to the Governor are the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Professor Isaac Asuzu who was accompanied by his Registrar, Mr Daniel Adeyemo and the Council of Traditional Rulers in Oye local government area of Ekiti State, led by its chairman, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ademolaju.

Last modified: April 16, 2013