Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo has ordered that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras be installed in all public facilities and private institutions in the state. 

Mr Akeredolu gave the order after he signed an ‘Executive Order’ to the effect, following the increasing spate of insecurity in the state and the country at large. 

“This becomes imperative in the light of the increased spate of insecurity in the country and the need to ensure the security of lives and properties in all public and private institutions and centres throughout the state,” the governor said via a statement issued on Saturday. 

In the statement by by his spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, the governor explained that the order shall be enforced at all religious places of worship, financial institutions, event centres, supermarkets, schools, hotels, restaurants, health centres, eateries, recreation or vehicular parks and other places regularly used by the public. 

The statement read: “Pursuant to Section 176 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which vests in the Governor of Ondo State the Chief Executive powers of the state, the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, hereby issues the following Executive Orders:

“That the owners, occupiers, managers and operators of public/private institutions within Ondo State shall mandatorily install, use and maintain CCTV devices and other secret cameras to monitor and keep surveillance on the daily activities in their premises and especially monitor the ingress and egress of people/vehicles at the said places, venues and centres. 

“That the installed CCTV devices apart from capturing all activities at the public/private institutions must also have data storage hardware and data stored therein should be made available to security agencies whenever it is required.

“That public/private institutions shall employ and maintain well-trained security personnel who shall man the entry and exit points to their various facilities/premises.

“That where necessary, the owners and occupiers of public/private institutions shall erect a well-fortified perimeter fence with a security post at the entry and exit points.

“That this Executive Order shall be enforced by all security agencies particularly the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and the Department of State Security Services (DSS).

“That violators of this Executive Order shall be prosecuted in accordance with Section 203 of the Criminal Code (Cap. 37) Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria.”

The development came barely three weeks after terrorists attacked worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, killing 40 parishioners and injuring dozens. The attack drew widespread condemnation from national and international organisations.