•Commander hails improved welfare, says personnel now enjoy NSITF, life insurance cover
Salaries of men of the Amotekun corps personnel in Ondo state have been jerked up by the state governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
The Commander of the State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, revealed that Governor has approved a higher minimum wage for Amotekun operatives in the state which will boost the morale of the officers to perform more exceedingly well than expected in providing and securing the state against all criminal activities.
Adeleye made the disclosure while parading 28 criminal suspects at the corps’ headquarters in Akure.
He said the governor approved an even higher pay package for Amotekun operatives for effective performance
Adeleye explained further that Amotekun personnel also enjoy coverage under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and a life insurance policy—benefits he described as major incentives boosting the morale of his officers.
The Amotekun boss also appreciated the efforts of the sister agencies which they have been working closely with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in dismantling criminal networks across the state.
According to him “We have gone beyond arresting criminals and suspects alone. We are now after their godfathers and backbones. Until we uproot them, there will be no total peace,” Adeleye declared.
He said further that Amotekun’s interventions contributed to an increase of over 500 percent in Ondo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2023.
He added that the ongoing joint patrols in Akure North and other areas have secured forests, allowing farmers to return to their farms.
Among those paraded were four suspected kidnappers—identified as Kongi, Kana, Sam, and Daniel, aged between 18 and 27—arrested in Elegbeka.
Others included a 24-year-old, Abiola, accused of rape and fraud; Ogungbemi, arrested for alleged defilement and sexual assault; and Tosin, arrested for assault.
Adeleye further disclosed that cattle rustled in Igbara-Oke and Ifedore were recovered and returned to their owners after the arrest of three suspects: Abubarka, Mubla, and Uma Mohammed, all aged 20.
The commander expressed appreciation to the state governor, the Ondo State House of Assembly, journalists, and residents for their continuous support, describing Amotekun as “the most welfare-catered-for security agency in the South-West.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Security, Hon. Olatunji Ifabiyi, who visited the corps on an oversight assignment, commended Amotekun’s efforts and assured of legislative backing to strengthen security.
“We are working seriously to ensure that the capital punishment law for kidnappers is firmly established in the state. Our role as lawmakers is to make laws and deliberate on vital issues that promote the security of lives and property. We will continue to collaborate with the executive until we reach that goal,” Ifabiyi said.
