The
South-West security outfit named ‘Amotekun’ jointly established by the
governors of the six states that make up Southwest Nigeria. They are Oyo, Lagos,
Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Ekiti.
The idea
came through three-day technical sessions by experts of Southwest origin. The
idea was conceived out of the need to jointly tackle increasing criminal
activities, including kidnapping and armed robbery, in the region.
Amotekun
Amotekun is
the Yoruba name for leopards, a carnivorous big cat with strong bones and jaws.
They have a running speed average of 58 kilometer per hour.
Leopards
hunt down their preys in the same manner as lions and tigers. They are feared
in Yoruba land because of their strength, speed and carnivorous nature.
The name was
carefully chosen to convey the above attributes which are believed will send
the right signals to criminals.
Membership
and structure
Membership
of the outfit comprises vigilante groups operating within each state, security
experts and statutory security agencies such as the police and the Nigerian Security
and Civil Defence Corps.
Though a
regional outfit, each state will have its own Amotekun in the form of a state
police command. They will operate from a given base in each state.
There will
also be local government organs, which will coordinate Amotekun activities in
each local government. But, the six state commands will relate with the
regional command to which each has contributed vehicles equipped with security
and communication gadgets.
The regional
command will operate from the control centre in Ibadan, and will work closely
with the DAWN Commission, which provides administrative supervision to the
project.
Amotekun
will be funded by the state governments with support from their security trust
funds. The Commissioner of Police in each state will oversee Amotekun.
Operational
guidelines
As at press
time yesterday, governors and police bosses were still perfecting the document
that will serve as the operational guidelines for the outfit.
While the
governors were interacting on funding and management, commissioners of police
and the three Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIG) in the region were
firming up the technical aspects to prevent inter-agency rivalry and clashes
over leadership and superiority among members during patrol and other
operational activities.
It learnt
that the states have recruited many of the unconventional security personnel.
As a local
collaborative measure, Amotekun will gather information about crimes and suspicious
activities for interpretation and proper action, including prevention,
management or counteraction.
It will
undertake routine patrols in parts of highways in the region, which police are
unable to adequately cover day and night. Working with traditional rulers, its
activities will also permeate local communities to keep an eye on suspicious
residents, visitors and non-residents coming for business or related
activities.
The outfit
will deploy technology in its operations, including geographical mapping and
security drones.
By gathering
intelligence and sharing it with the police and other statutory security
agencies, it is believed that these security measures will help improve
community peace and security all over the region.
The
inauguration of the outfit is expected to have sent jitters down the spines of
criminals who have returned to their trade, particularly in Ondo State in the
last one month.
The bandits
may have explored the room created by the slight delay in the inauguration of
the outfit, which was due since last October.
When
contacted yesterday, the AIG Zone 11, Leye Oyebade, declined comment on the
outfit. He said facts about it will be made know during tomorrow’s
inauguration.
The
Director-General, DAWN Commission, Mr Seye Oyeleye, was also unavailable for
comments.
Police
involvement
The Nigeria
Police is a key stakeholder in Amotekun’s operations. The force will offer
services in the area of security clearance for those to be recruited as
members, exercise the legal power of arrest and prosecution and also provide
technical training and back-up for the outfit.
OPERATION AMOTEKUN: Things You Need To Know About the New Western Security Scheme
1. Each
state donated 20 vehicles each, making 120 Amotekun vehicles. The vehicles
would be dispatched to the respective states.
2. The
headquarters will be at Ibadan, Oyo State.
3. The size
of the troops would be determined by what each of the six states had capacity
for and based on the level of security threat.
4. Every
state government will fund the troops in its state. It is the capacity of a
state that will determine the size of troops it needs.
5. The idea
behind Operation Amotekun is in a bid to localizing policing
Salary of
personnel will not be below the minimum wage.
6. Their
operation will be seamless. If something is happening near the Oyo border, the
Ogun Amotekun can cross into Oyo and vice versa.
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