Apparently worried over the spate of criminality in Ekiti state especially the Ekiti borders with Kwara and the Kogi States, the Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has established a joint operation tagged Eradicating Bandits at the Borders of Rural Ajoni Communities (EBBORAC) to combat crime in the area.
The LCDA comprises Iyemero, Itapaji, Irele, Iowa, Oke Ako, Ipao, Esun, Oke Ayedun, Odo Ayedun, and Ayebode Ekiti.
Speaking with reporters in Ado Ekiti through telephone conversation, on Thursday, the Council’s Chairman, Hon. Michael Ogungbemi said the step was taken after the maiden meeting of the security and intelligence committee of the local government held on Wednesday.
Ogungbemi said the meeting was in response to the several cases of kidnappings and killings that had been witnessed along Iyemero-Eruku of Kwara and Ipao-Irele -Ponyan roads of Kogi borders recently.
According to him, those who attended the security meetings were himself and other top functionaries in the LCDA like: the Vice Chairman, Prince Babatunde Famoroti, Head of Local Council Development Area, Mrs.
Modupe Oluwafemi and Director of Administration, Mr. Kayode Bello.
Security formations at the meeting were representatives of the Ekiti State Police Command, Nigerian Army, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Department of State Services( DSS), Ekiti State Peace Corps, and Amotekun Corps.
Ogungbemi said the session involved taking reports, briefings, and debriefings from various security, military, and paramilitary units on how best to tackle criminalities in the area and make Ekiti safe.
He said: “In order to sustain adequate peace, stability, and tranquility around Ajoni Communities and to also provide solid fortification of Ajoni porous borders, we have introduced a lasting security strategy known as EBBORAC.
“This initiative will create a Local Security Network on the major borders of Ajoni LCDA. It will comprise a joint security arrangement, coordination and reportage on surveillance, patrolling and gathering Information gathering and bandits and kidnappings”.
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The traditional rulers of the flashpoint communities, he said would-be collaborators in the engagements of the local hunters, men of the Oodua People’s Congress, and Vigilante groups to work with conventional security bodies to safeguard the lives of our citizens in that axis and Ekiti in general.
He said the operation would be coordinated by the police and military formations and the participating operatives will be supported with monthly stipends through monies generated by the LCDA and community support funds”.
Ogungbemi added that the LCDA would soon roll out a programme that would ensure accurate enumeration of settlers in the Council.
