The new security outfit geared towards tackling kidnapping and criminal activities in the South-West, Operation Amotekun, gained momentum on Friday as the police have identified about 52 deadly blackspots they would focus on in collaboration with the militiamen.
The announcement came barely two days after South-West governors led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State inaugurated the outfit, also called Western Nigeria Security Network.
Police officials in Oyo State said there were over 20 black spots in the state. These, they said, were scattered around Ijebu Ode axis, Ogbomoso-Oyo axis, Oke Ogun axis and Oyo-Ogun border. They said some were also located in Moniya, Iseyin and Ogbomoso
Others in Ibadan are located in Akobo, Born Photo area, Beere, Iwo Road, Oojo, Gate and General Gas.
According to police officials in Ekiti State, there are blackspots Operation ‘Amotekun’ need to cover in a bid to intensify security in Ekiti State.
These are: Iyemero Ekiti axis, area between Ayede Ekiti and Isan Ekiti, Ilejemeje council area, Iwaraja – Efon Alaaye, link road between Osun and Ekiti states, and Erio Ekiti – Efon Alaaye Road.
In Ondo State, police officials identified blackspots as Akunnu-Auga Road, Sobe along Benin-Owo Expressway, Oba Akoko along Owo-Ikare Road, Benin-Ore Expressway, Ore-Shagamu Expressway, Ipele-Ido Ani-Isua Road and Akure-Ado road.
The Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, said the command was ready to work as soon as the operation started. He did not mention the blackspots.
“On the Operation Amotekun, we are ready to work with the state governments of the South-West, once the operation begins. We too are ready to work with it, we will focus more on the black spots and I believe it will be a successful exercise,” Joseph declared.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi said blackspots had become notorious for various criminal activities such as kidnapping and robbery in the state.
He listed them as Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road, Fidiwo, Onigarri, Kara Long Bridge, Ogbere J4 ,Odogbolu Junction and Owode-Ilaro Road.
“We have some places we marked as vulnerable points like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway especially along Fidiwo, Onigari, then towards Lagos, he added.
Officials in Osun State Identified over 15 black spots located around Ife-Ibadan Expressway and Ilesha-Akure Expressway.
Others are located in areas around Ikire, Ikoyi, Iwaraja, Akure-Ilesha Road, Ife-Ibadan Expressway among others.
