The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday condemned the recent security lapses in the state and called for a rejig of its security architecture.

Speaking on the Matter of Public Importance at the plenary, the majority leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said it was unfortunate that the state had found itself in constant insecurity.

Mr Ogunmolasuyi, representing APC-Owo 1, said it had got to a stage that in his constituency, a family of three was kidnapped in their home.

“Ondo State has become a place where one cannot sleep with two eyes closed; security agencies have to wake up to their duty.

“They have to wake up and rescue us. They are trying, but it is not enough. It is high time that Amotekun Corps be allowed to carry sophisticated weapons. These criminals are destroying our business, and we cannot just fold our hands.

“We know the governor is trying his best, but it’s not enough. He has to call security heads, and if they don’t cooperate with him, they should be changed. The criminals meant to turn our state into something else,” he said.

Mr Ogunmolasuyi promised that the lawmakers would cooperate with the governor to make the state safe for everybody.

He called on the traditional rulers to rise and defend their communities.

“We, the politicians, should also condemn criminal elements; it seems some of our people have collaborated with criminals,” Mr Ogunmolasuyi said.

Also speaking, Olatunji Oshati (APC-Ose Constituency) regretted that the state had recently been embroiled in different security attacks.

Mr Oshati called on the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, to advise each local government to establish a vigilante group to address criminalities in their areas.

Also, Kolawole Ologede (APC-Akure North) said herders had become a challenge in the constituency, as many farmers could no longer go to their farmlands because of their activities.

Similarly, Stephen Abitogun (APC-Akure South 2) urged the state government to constitute a joint security task force that would be deployed to various forests to flush out criminal elements across the state.

Mr Abitogun said security gadgets should be provided for easy location and dislodgement of criminals’ hideouts.

He also called for the establishment of state police, which would be more effective in dealing with criminalities.

Also, Victor Japheth (APC-Akoko North East) urged the governor to contact Ekiti and Edo governors for appropriate collaboration on security matters.

Olatunji Ifabiyi (APC-Odigbo 1) described the attitude of leaders at various levels as lukewarm, saying security agencies should focus on intelligence reports to tame insecurity.

The speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, who read the resolution of the assembly, berated all forms of criminality in the state, as many lives and property had been lost in the recent security lapses.

Mr Oladiji encouraged the governor to double his efforts on security and traditional rulers to work with security agencies.

“All those culpable in criminalities to be prosecuted and punished, to serve as a deterrent to others. Also, security agents’ welfare should be prioritised.

“There should be recruitment of more personnel to Amotekun Corp,” the speaker said.

He summoned the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Gbenga Atiba, and the state commandant of the Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, to appear on or before March 25 to brief the assembly on security issues in the state.

The speaker adjourned the plenary until March 19.

(NAN)