Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday reaffirmed that security remains the foundation for sustainable development, stressing that no society can prosper in an atmosphere of fear or insecurity.

The governor made the assertion during the passing-out parade of Batch 05 (BR05) of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, held at the Ondo State House of Assembly Arcade Complex in Akure.

Describing the ceremony as symbolic and historic, Aiyedatiwa said the event marked another significant step in strengthening the state’s security architecture.

He noted that a government cannot claim success if it fails in its primary responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

Reflecting on the occasion, the governor recalled his late predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who played a key role in the establishment of Amotekun.

Aiyedatiwa congratulated the newly recruited operatives, describing them as well-trained and disciplined individuals who had willingly committed themselves to the peace and stability of the state.

He said they arrived at the training camp as civilians but were leaving as defenders of the homeland and custodians of public trust.
According to him, the decision to continually strengthen and invest in the corps was driven by strategic foresight rather than political considerations.

He explained that Amotekun was designed as a community-based, intelligence-driven and law-guided security outfit to complement federal security agencies while responding effectively to local security challenges.

The governor said BR05 represents not just an increase in personnel but an improvement in operational capacity and resolve to secure every part of the state, from forests and farms to highways and communities.

He disclosed that the recruits underwent comprehensive training, including physical endurance, tactical operations, intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, civil-military relations, rules of engagement, human rights, and ethical standards rooted in the Omoluabi ethos.

Aiyedatiwa urged the operatives to demonstrate discipline, sound judgment and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, reminding them that they act under the authority of the state and must operate strictly within the law.

He emphasised that they are not above the law but servants of it, and must balance courage with compassion and firmness with fairness.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the corps, the governor pledged continued support through improved logistics, better equipment, enhanced intelligence coordination and sustained training programmes. He added that residents across the state—including farmers, traders, commuters and students—were relying on their service.

In his welcome address, the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Adetunji Adeleye, cautioned the new operatives to uphold the law at all times.

He stated that the corps was established as a legal and community-rooted security outfit to bridge local security gaps and support conventional security agencies.

Adeleye stressed that Amotekun was not created to compete with agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Police and other security bodies, but to collaborate with them in tackling threats peculiar to the state.

He highlighted the growing complexity of security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and criminal activities in rural communities, noting that the new batch was entering service at a critical time.

Adeleye warned that acts of indiscipline, corruption or abuse of power would attract strict sanctions, adding that the image of the corps would be shaped by the conduct of its operatives across communities.

He commended the governor for improving the welfare of personnel through the provision of vehicles, equipment, enhanced salaries, life insurance coverage and improved training facilities.

The event was attended by top government officials, lawmakers, security chiefs, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders.