By Tola Gbadamosi
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Worried by the spate of security challenges in Nigeria, the Emir of Gumi, in Zamfara State, Justice Lawal Hassan, has advice, that all the Geo-political Zones in Nigeria should adopt the Amotekun Initiative of Ondo State towards tackling insecurity in the country.
The monarch gave the charge last week at the just concluded 69th Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association, held at the MKO Abiola National stadium in Abuja.
The Emir, while speaking further, said; “I made reference to an issue of adopting traditional sciences in our approach to fighting banditry in our country.
“Specifically, I was recommending that each Emirate in the North should employ traditional way of tackling insecurity and that is what Ondo Amotekun is doing”, he said.
Speaking at the programme, Commander of the Ondo Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye who was one of the Speakers, made emphasis on how IGR had increased in Ondo state as residents farmers, business owner, now have conducive environment to operate.
“The IGR in Ondo state increased by more than 300% within the last three years when Amotekun began full operation and this became successful because of the sustainable and the high level of synergy between the Corps and other mother security agencies in the state.
“I want to place it on record, within a short period of three years we have have been we have been able to reduce the cases of kidnapping to over 70%.
They were also warned not to take laws into their hands but report infringement to the Amotekun Core using the leadership of the Miyeti Allah and the farmers council in the state to drive home the initiative to the grassroots.
“And I want to tell you today, that in Ondo State, farmers are going to their farms without fear while herders too feel secured while transacting their business.
” It would also interest you to know, that Amotekun Corps have arrested people who stole their herds and gave it back to the headers”, he explained.
He further stated that security in other security agencies in the state account for massive reduction in criminals activities the high
“If this is replicated in other Geo-political zones, for instance, where there is banditry, let us have a home grown solution as an assistant to the military and the paramilitary to tame the challenges.
” I want to say that there cannot be a better time than now for the NBA to put together this forum to chart a coust for designing the security architecuture and now in support of the present administration to restore security of lives and property in Nigeria.” he submitted.
Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun who was represented by DIG Frank Mba at the Conference, emphasised the dire need for comprehensive Police Reforms as a panacea for transforming the internal security narrative of the country.
Rear Admiral Onubebe who represented the Chief of Army Staff, while speaking on National Security-National Development Nexus, stated that the issues of Security transcends mere physical threats to life and property adding that it also include political, social and environmental aspects of National Security.
According to him, the focus is therefore to nurture a professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is people-centric, collaborative and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities within a changing environment.
