Govt Unveil CCTV Control Room For Ogun Amotekun

The Ogun State Government on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to strengthening security operations through technology and improved collaboration among law enforcement agencies, as it unveiled a CCTV control room for the Ogun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.

The Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, disclosed this during the unveiling at the Amotekun state command headquarters in Abeokuta.

Talabi said the deployment of modern surveillance tools would enhance real-time crime detection and response, while helping to flush out criminal elements across the state.

He noted that the government was determined to empower security agencies to maintain law and order, ensuring residents could live and sleep without fear.

“When we look at the fact that Amotekun is like a pioneer force that was deliberately set up to help with certain aspects of our security, and if you look at the time they have just been in existence, an initiative like this CCTV control room gives the state government a lot of confidence,” he said.

“It goes to show that at least the professionalism that we are expecting, somebody is strategically thinking about it.”

The SSG commended the Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Alade Adedigba (retd.), for establishing the control room and embracing innovation in security operations.

“The fact that when the corps grows bigger, right now they have about 2,000 operatives, to administer 2,000 operatives needs some form of technology,” Talabi noted.

“To also be able to cover our very vast land, we need operatives, we need technology in very critical areas.

“This is a very good concept and I believe that with this in place, then we can start to begin to build on it and expand it. It’s a very good initiative… It’s something that will significantly improve security in our dear state. I am definitely impressed with what I have seen so far with the demonstration. The template is good, and we can take it up from here.”

He added that although only three surveillance centres are currently operational, the state government plans to expand the initiative to cover all parts of Ogun.

The SSG also emphasised the need for synergy among security agencies, noting that safety cannot be handled by a single institution.

“It is also good for us to emphasise the need for collaboration because we don’t want to take for granted what we have. I believe we have a good collaboration because we meet regularly.

“Everybody exchanges their own views, but we cannot overemphasise it because that is the strength that a state can have.

“So if we then have a situation like somewhere and it happens that the operatives in that area cannot manage it, of course, we are going to call on other agencies. If we need the military, they will also join you in that capacity,” Talabi said.

Amotekun: Surveillance Will Enhance Response Time

Speaking at the event, the Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Adedigba (retd.) said the CCTV control room would improve operational efficiency and strengthen security coverage across the state.

“To start with, the interface between security and technology cannot be overemphasised. Security measures implemented without technology will only be reactive. It will be manual.

“But when you interface technology with whatever measures you put in place, it means you are proactive. And you can even run on autopilot,” he said.

Adedigba explained that real-time surveillance would shorten response time and improve coordination among operatives.

He added, “For example, I am right now at our headquarters in Abeokuta, and I have a team somewhere in Ogere, which takes about 45 minutes, but when you have a system of this nature, real-time, as something is happening, you are relating to the man on the ground, and he’s responding.

“So you save time, you save life, and you achieve so much. So that is the reason behind the establishment of a system of this nature.”