BY DAYO JOHNSON
AKURE — SECURITY equipment worth about N1billion was yesterday presented by the Ondo State government to the Police and other security agencies in the state for effective policing across the state.

The equipment includes five Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, to replace the only one given to the State police Command
by the Alhaji Shehu Shagari administration 27 years ago.

Also, 36 vehicles donated by the 18 local governments were presented to the security agencies bringing the total number of vehicles given to the police and other security agencies within the last one year to about 100.

Others are 10 High Velocity BMW power bikes, 500 bullet-proof vests, as well as communication equipment worth over N51million procured for the police and the state Joint Security Patrol.

Speaking at the handing over , the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, declared his government’s zero tolerance for violence. saying that it “will no longer be business as usual during the April general elections.

“As the 2011 general elections are approaching, we should ensure that all our political activities are carried out in the most peaceful manner and within the ambits of the law. Even though we have had our periods of challenges, all these agencies have been up and doing in preventing further perpetration of crime in the state. It is often said that security is expensive, but indeed insecurity is more expensive.

In the same vein, pro-activeness and intelligence are cheaper and more effective than crime combating. The fact that prevention is better than cure informed the need for the modern approach to security.”

Mimiko said the government had been mopping up unemployed youths from the streets through various skills acquisition programmes and the youth volunteer scheme due to the correlation between youth unemployment and insecurity.

“The Joint Security Patrol which is a team comprising all the security agencies in Ondo State is an initiative aimed at further fortifying security in the state which was established in the wake of crisis in the southern part of the state.

The JSP offices at both Akure and Okitipupa were recently renovated while a new office had been constructed at Ikare Akoko. These offices which are equipped with modern communication gadgets served as the co-ordinating centres for the activities of the patrol teams and the vehicles for effective patrol.

“Our government is currently considering the introduction of Community Policing which is now a globally acclaimed approach to ensuring an efficient security of lives and property into its security networking. The community policing involves the grassroots and it is an all-embracing strategy which engenders a collective responsibility on everyone.”