Confusion may be brewing in Ondo State, following the withdrawal of soldiers from various checkpoints mounted on major border areas and hot spots across the state.

This is just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, raised alarm over the development, attributing the withdrawal to the alleged refusal of the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, to pay allowances due to the security personnel.

But Tribune Online gathered that there was a cold war between the State Security outfit, Amotekun and the military, which was responsible for the withdrawal of the soldiers from the roads.

The withdrawal of the soldiers from the checkpoints was the climax of the cold war between Adeleye and the military even as the military reportedly stayed away from State Security Council meetings in the last six months.

It was gathered that all efforts by the state governor, Akeredolu to intervene and settle the differences were not successful as the soldiers protested against the operations of the Amotekun outfit, alleging that it was targeted against a particular ethnic group.

Top security personnel said that “We are not against Amotekun as long as they are fighting crime and criminality but why are they always arresting only people of an ethnic group and expect our boss to be happy here?

“So we are leaving the roads for Amotekun; let them take the roads and protect the people because the government does not want us to work and even help to fight crime.”

He, however, noted that the withdrawal of soldiers from the checkpoints mounted on major border areas and hot spots across the state appears to be threatening the relative peace in the state.

Although no official confirmation has been received in this regard, it was observed that the checkpoints along with Ago Ajayi, Owo Ikare Junction, Owena, Ajue, Igbara Oke and Uso Owo have all been dismantled.

But the PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary in the state, Kennedy Peretei, described the withdrawal of soldiers from the highways as dangerous saying it will further expose the people of the state to danger.

The statement read: “Soldiers that man security checkpoints in Ondo State, especially at the inter-state boundaries have abandoned the checkpoints. This is a result of the refusal of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to pay allowances due to these personnel.

“Over the years, the Army high command approved the mobilisation of soldiers to 32 strategic locations in the state to stem the activities of kidnappers and other criminals on the condition that the State Government pays a token as allowances to the soldiers. This arrangement preceded the incumbent administration under Akeredolu.

“Unfortunately, in the last four months, these allowances have not been paid. All efforts to appeal to the Governor fell on deaf ears. Also, efforts by Traditional Rulers to plead with the Governor did not yield any results.

“In the last one year, no fewer than 11 traditional rulers have been kidnapped, while one first-class Oba, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Isreal Adeusi, was murdered in cold blood by gunmen.

He, however, said “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State chapter joins other well-meaning Ondo State citizens to appeal to Governor Akeredolu, to immediately pay the outstanding allowances due to the security personnel without further delay.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and properties, a duty that has been observed by the APC government more in the breach.

“Even with the presence of the soldiers, the people don’t sleep with their two eyes closed, what happens when, the criminals now have a field day, because of the failure of the Governor to do the needful?”

Speaking on behalf of the government, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, warned the opposition PDP not to politicise the situation but said the state government is more particular about the safety of lives and property of people of the state.

Ojogo said PDP attacks on the state government is designed to discredit the state security outfit, Amotekun, and lambasted the opposition for playing up the issue of non-payment of allowance to the military.

Ojogo said in the statement that “The Ondo State Government desires not to go into the merits of the flying story about non-payment of allowances to any arm of the military. It deserves no such efforts more so, that, the concerned arm of the military has yet to issue any statement in that regard.

“It must be noted that notwithstanding the politicisation of any situation, the Ondo State Government ably led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN shall not, under whatever circumstances, succumb to blackmail and allow any puerile allegation wrapped under ethnicised platforms to wrought further violence on our people.

“It must clear to all, including the PDP, that, the target is AMOTEKUN. Unfortunately for whoever whose motive is to perpetuate violence under any guise, our resolve to sustain AMOTEKUN remains unwavering. We won’t be deterred in any form. Our time-tested character and attitude toward tackling insecurity even at odd times, shall not be compromised.”

He said further that “The spurious efforts of the opposition PDP to weaponise a seeming situation of near sabotage, clearly shows how detached they are from the arena of vigilance.

“To them, everything is politics and politics must be infused into everything, including the safety and welfare of the people. No discerning group could have bought into such cheaply brandished propaganda.

The ignorantly appraised security situation by the PDP is an inelegant manifestation that they would rather dance on the blood of innocent South-Westerners on the altar of politics for patronage than stand firm in defence of their people.”

Credit: Nigirian Tribune