Akeredolu Raises Alarm over Withdrawal Of Soldiers from Prisons
By Friday Omosola
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has decried in strong terms, the withdrawal of men of the Nigerian Army from the Correctional Centers across the State, saying the action is to induce jail breaks.
In a statement on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, said the Governor received a full briefing of the situation from the Commissioner of Police, Oyediran Oyeyemi, marveling why soldiers will be withdrawn from correctional centers which belong to the Federal Government.
“Last night, Governor Akeredolu received reports from the Commissioner of Police in the state that soldiers attached to the correctional centers in the state have all been withdrawn.
“This development came as a surprise, considering the fact that both the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Correctional Centers belong to the Federal Government.
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“The Governor was more bothered about the overflow effect of the soldiers withdrawal on the security situation in the state. More so that such action could easily encourage jail breaks across the state,” Olatunde said
He said it is appropriate to alert members of the public and the Federal Government of the unhealthy situation, saying findings into the action revealed that it was an order from above without corresponding details.
“The situation notwithstanding, proactive efforts have been made to secure these centers so as not to allow premeditated jail breaks as whoever gave order to withdraw those soldiers was in the process of encouraging such.” the statement added.
However, the Governor has met with other security heads in the state charging them to take over responsibility of internal security in the state.
According to him, “We believe that the Federal Government has a duty to protect the prisons, we are more concerned about the security of our people across the state. A jail break will not only threaten the peaceful atmosphere we are enjoying in the state, it will pose serious danger to our people.”
