Wale Jagun
Stakeholders in Lagos on Monday emphatically declared that the Southwest Nigeria security network, code-named Amotekun, set up by the six Southwest States to tackle crimes in the region, has come to stay.
The verdict on Amotekun was pronounced at the public hearing organsied by the Lagos State House of Assembly to review the law ‘A law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law, 2019’.
Stakeholders at the hearing stated the roles of Amotekun must be clearly defined to avoid constitutional crisis while the Vigilance Groups also wants to be incorporated in Amotekun since they have been engaged in community policing.
Stating the position of the Assembly at the hearing, Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his keynote address declared that Amotekun, as a security outfit, in the state and the South West has come to stay.
Obasa stated that ‘Amotekun’ which has generated different reactions from Nigerians is designed to make the zone safe
Speaker stated the bill on Amotekun which has received massive support from Yoruba people would be accommodated in the existing law.
“Amotekun has come to stay and we must stand by it,” he said.
“Our race has spoken and we must stand by it but in line with the constitution,” he said.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanni Agunbiade who played major role in ensuring by leading other Majority Leaders in the Southwest in designing the legal framework for the Amotekun security outfit while reviewing the Bill said:
“Amotekun corps would be depicted by the image of a leopard, an animal with the capacity to penetrate anywhere”
“The lawmaker said the outfit would perform same functions like the Neighbourhood Safety corps.”
He added that ‘Amotekun’ operatives would be made to carry licensed arms subject to the approval of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and collaborate with security agencies in Lagos and other states.
Hon. Agunbiade stating the idea is not new to Lagos, he added that it is an amendment to the Neighbourhood Safety law which has been in existence since 2016.
The lawmaker added that the laws guiding Amotekun are all embedded in the Neighbourhood Safety Corps law and this is the reason for the decision to amend it.
“Amotekun is to collaborate with and assist the police and other security network agencies in gathering information about crime, crime investigation, arrest and prosecution of persons suspected or involved in kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, cultism, highway robbery and such other criminal activities,” Agunbiade said.
Aaree Gani Adams speaking in favour of the security arrangement stated that Yorubas for the first time speaking with one voice.
“Yorubas are one of the most organized races and this public hearing for stakeholders to make inputs has justified my position.
“Amotekun has brought the unity we have been talking about in Yorubaland, this is the first time everybody in South West is speaking with one voice.
“Those who are afraid have nothing to fear, insecurity does not discriminate on tribe, religion or political party”, Adams said.
State PDP Chairman, Chief Adedeji Doherty speaking said that the opposition party is on full support of the security outfit.
Doherty who was represented at the hearing also cautioned that the engagement of personnel should be purely on merit not party, tribe, religion or nepotism.
Others at the public hearing were representatives State executive councils, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Lagos Arewa community/Miyeti Allah, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim community, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), state security outfits, traditional rulers, Agbekoya, and civil society organisations.
