Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has asserted that Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun,’ in the state will not be under any federal establishment.
Operation Amotekun was launched on January 9 this year in Ibadan, Oyo State capital by the six South West governors.
Makinde’s assertion is an apparent reply to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that Amotekun structure will be determined by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
Speaking during a meeting with Chairmen of Local Government Areas (LGs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), at state Secretariat, Ibadan, Makinde said Amotekun will solely be controlled by the state government.
Pointing to instances where communities have arrested crimes and criminality with local collaborative efforts, Makinde stressed that there was no going back on implementing Amotekun in the state.
He stressed;
At Okeho the other day, armed robbers robbed a bank and thankfully the community rose to the occasion and they assisted to apprehend those people. They combed the forest.
That is why I will continue to say that Amotekun is here to stay with us. And it will not be under the control of the federal establishment. It will be under our control. Security of our people is extremely important.
The Governor expressed;
Nothing can take place in an atmosphere of insecurity. Oyo State is a very large area. In terms of land size, we are more than all the States in South-East Nigeria so we have a lot to do to secure this area.
We have an international border with smuggling taking place. They killed a Customs officer in Saki a few weeks ago and these things are not acceptable to us.
Identifying insecurity as the biggest challenge facing the state, Makinde tasked the local government Chairpersons to immediately set up security committees.
Pointing the recent killing of one Taoreed Akano on Government House road, Ibadan, Makinde expressed concern that criminal activities may even record a spike in ember months hence need to give life to the security committees.
Once the committees are set up, the Governor assured of funding them for then to tackle insecurity in their various localities.
This comes months after Governor Makinde signed the bill establishing Operation Amotekun, into law.
Oyo State House of Assembly on February 24 held a public hearing and passed the bill on March 3.
Makinde while signing the law at the executive council chambers, Governor’s office warned kidnappers, bandits and other perpetrators of heinous crimes to steer clear of the South Western region.
