The Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps, says it is embarking on a joint border patrol to check highway criminal activities ahead of the festive period.

Leading the border patrol team, the corps commander of Ondo, Adetunji Adeleye, who is the chairman of all the corps commanders in the region, said this on Saturday in Owena, the border town of Osun and Ondo.

Mr Adeleye said the corps would not leave anything for chance, particularly when it had become the tradition of highway robbers to embark on massive and aggressive operations during yuletide.

According to him, this is the second edition of the strategy adopted by the corps in the South-West to tackle criminals during the festive season.

He said the operation was tagged” Operation ‘Gba’le Gba’ko’.”

He disclosed that 340 victims of robbery and kidnap operations were rescued, and 80 snatched vehicles were rescued last year.

“Last year when the Ondo State and the Osun State inter-border patrol commenced, we recorded very huge successes.

“We were able to dismantle a number of kidnappers’ cells; we were able to arrest kidnappers; we were able to recover illegal arms and weapons; we were able to release kidnap victims; we were able to arrest kidnap suspects; we were able to arrest armed robbers,” he said.

He said the exercise reduced crime rates, adding that the corps have redoubled efforts to ensure residents enjoy the yuletide.

“That is why we are commencing both the ‘ember patrol and the inter border patrol’ activities of the Western Nigerian Security Network Agency,” he said.

Mr Adeleye noted that the corps would, at a later date, start the collaborative process with other states in the South-West to ensure all roads and villages were safe and lives and property protected.

He noted that the operation was at the instance of chairman of South-West Governor’s Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, with the operations to be carried out with other sister security agencies.

“We are going to embark on 24 hours patrol, seven days of the week from now till after the Christmas and New year holidays,” he said

In his comment, the Amotekun commander of Osun, Bashir Adewimbi, urged people of the border communities to cooperate with them to ensure the security of lives and property in the region.

(NAN)