#Features #News

Amotekun not for antagonism, but protection – Govs

Amotekun not for antagonism, but protection – Govs

By Adekola Afolabi
|
Governors of the South-West states yesterday allayed the fears being nursed in some quarters over the launch of Amotekun (Leopard), a security network conceived by the governors to combat waves of crimes in the region and not intended for any antagonistic tendencies.

The governors of the South-West states in their separate presentations at the official launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network, held at Oyo State Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, explained that the security architecture was a necessary intervention and pragmatic solution required to tackle the criminal activities including banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping and other vices currently threatening the peace and the economic development of the region.

The slogan of the Western Nigeria Security Network, ‘Zero Tolerance to Crime’.

Speaking at the launch, Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, noted that the frequency and ease with which criminal elements operated were of grave concern to the government and people of the region which had enjoyed considerable peace before the descent into the current barbarism.

According to Akeredolu, the new wave of criminalities threatening the socio-economic well-being of the entire geo-political space, adding that the South-West seemed to have been the focus of negative reports in recent times.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government and its agencies in stemming the dangerous tide of insecurity in the polity, just as he expressed the hope that the contributions of the governors at the regional level would serve as effective complements.

Related News  FG approves dualisation of Ado-Ikare road

 “We are focused and resolute to make our space safe for all those who have legitimate reasons to live or visit the region for endeavours known to law and acceptable to our people.

“We shall resist, with vehemence and available resources, all attempts to reduce our region to a lawless space.

“We shall be firm and swift in dealing with aberrant attitudes which seek to undermine peace in our environment”, Akeredolu emphasised.

According to him, the operational framework of the initiative is already being handled by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, which will be saddled with the responsibility of monitoring its activities to ensure that the outfit operates within its mandate.

“The Commission has taken care of all grey areas that could cause friction in the operations of the personnel that will be deployed for the programme.

“As a matter of fact, the Nigeria Police will oversee and moderate the activities of Amotekun, thus making its operation conform to the acceptable standard.

Amotekun is, therefore, not a parallel security outfit to the constitutionally recognised security organisation in the country.

“It will only play a complementary role and collaborate with the security agencies, especially in intelligence gathering in protecting lives and property across the region,” he explained.

On his part, the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, observed that the joint security network would complement the mainstream security agencies in the country, saying that the governors could not afford to fail to ensure the security and welfare of their people.

Related News  Tinubu’s commitment to border security not a rhetoric–Bunmi Tunji-Ojo

“So the Western Nigeria Security Network, ‘Amotekun’ is nothing but a confidence building strategy for our people in the six states in the South West zone,” he stated.

Fayemi further explained that those that would work in the joint security network with the mainstream security agencies would do so with the knowledge of the terrains, language, culture and history of the communities where they will work.

Also, the host governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said as governors, it is their responsibility to ensure that people living within the boundaries of the various states can carry out their legitimate activities in a secured environment.

Other speakers at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State represented by his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, Yoruba leader, Prof Banji Akintoye and the Director General of the DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye.

Highlight of the event was the launch of the Amotekun vehicles.

Share
Amotekun not for antagonism, but protection – Govs

Can a man watch his wife beat

Amotekun not for antagonism, but protection – Govs

…Gbonigi, Aluko, ex-CP, laud initiative

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *