Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, restated his administration’s commitment to the safety of lives and property with the distribution of 50 operational vehicles to security agencies in the state. 

According to Mr Aiyedatiwa, it is important to build a safe and more secure state by placing a premium on safety of the residents amid the escalating security challenges bedevilling the country. 

He stated that the distribution of the high-grade operational Toyota Hilux vehicles to security agencies in the state was a clear demonstration of his administration’s resolve to enhance the capacity and responsiveness of security formations across the state.

The governor spoke on Wednesday at the Government House ground in Akure, the state capital, where he distributed the vehicles as part of activities, marking his first 100 days in office.

“This event underscores our administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, and capacity of our security agencies to respond to any security alert or acts of criminality in the state.  These vehicles are a token of our appreciation for your dedication and service. Furthermore, I wish to reiterate that the distribution of vehicles to security agencies is one of the ways by which we are strengthening our security apparatus in the state,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor recalled that in July 2024, the state government distributed 25 units of Toyota Hilux vehicles to security agencies, highlighting the latest presentation as a continuation of that initiative.

He added that providing operational tools to security operative was not only a constitutional responsibility but also a practical demonstration of the government’s appreciation of their sacrifices.

Stressing the importance of synergy among security stakeholders, Mr Aiyedatiwa said that collaboration between the security agencies is also critical to tackling the security challenges facing the state.

He described the event as a significant step in the collective quest to build a safer and more secure state. He expressed delight at the opportunity to once again equip security agencies with essential logistics. 

The governor also urged the beneficiaries to put the vehicles to good use by deploying them for patrols, emergency responses, and other security-related activities across the state.

Speaking at the event, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Fasoranti, emphasized that the present administration does not treat security matters lightly. 

Mr Fasoranti stated that the government was firmly committed to promoting orderliness and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state, stressing that Mr Aiyedatiwa continued to foster synergy among various security agencies to achieve a more coordinated approach to tackling insecurity. 

He added that the administration remained resolute in upholding its social contract with the people of Ondo State, describing the gesture as another clear demonstration of dedication to securing the state.

In their separate speech, the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Justin Ifeanyi and the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), Adetunji Adeleye, assured that the vehicles would be put to effective use and properly maintained.

Messrs Ifeanyi and Adeleye added that the new additions to the security fleet would greatly enhance the corps’ efficiency in handling security issues across the state.

The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, described the gesture as a giant stride in the history of security development in the state, observing that a major complaint from various constituencies had been the lack of mobility among security operatives. 

Mr Oladiji, however, commended Mr Aiyedatiwa for prioritising security and responding to the yearnings and concerns of the people.

Also, state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred AAlso, folabi, said that Mr Aiyedatiwa once again demonstrated his deep commitment to the safety and well-being of the people of the state. 

Mr Afolabi, represented by deputy commissioner of police, Oluseyi Okenla, assured that the operational vehicles would be put to use for the purpose of mobility to tackle the perennial security challenges in the nooks and crannies of the state.