THE Ondo State Government has set August 1, 2022 as the deadline for all public and private institutions to install Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras on their premises.
A statement issued by Akogun Adeleye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, warned that any institution that failed to comply with the directive will be closed.
“In furtherance of his tireless commitment to strengthen the security architecture of the state toward securing lives and property of the good people of Ondo State, Mr. Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, recently issued an Executive Order making it mandatory for all public places, financial institutions, restaurants, hotels and other lodging facilities, beer – parlours/bars, night clubs, educational institutions and religious worship centres in all the 18 local government areas of the state to have available video surveillance/ CCTV equipment installed in strategic locations within their premises,” the Ondo government said in the statement.
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The government said the action is aimed at assisting security agencies in tracking criminal elements that have been terrorising parts of the state.
“This step is no doubt in line with global best practices in Intelligence operations to provide real-time clips on criminal activities.
“To this end, the state government encourages operators and owners to comply on or before August 1 in line with the Executive Order, after which security agencies, particularly the Amotekun Corps, will commence full enforcement.
“Owners/Proprietors of the above–mentioned premises are hereby enjoined to ensure the safety of all video recordings as any attempt to damage or manipulate such shall be liable to prosecution,” the statement added.
The statement warned that the failure of any concerned operators/owners to comply with the directive would attract the following sanctions: the premises shall be closed indefinitely, and the owner (s) shall be prosecuted.
Akeredolu had earlier directed the compulsory installation and use of the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all public and private institutions in the state.
The governor gave the directive in an Executive Order issued in Akure last week.
Akeredolu said that he drew his power to issue the order from Section 176 (2) of the amended 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
The directive followed the attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on June 5, 2022.
About 40 worshippers died in the attack.
A reporter with the ICIR
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