After days of back and forth between the federal government and southwest governors over the creation and operation of Amotekun, the parties have finally reached a compromise.
At the end of a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Thursday between governors of the six South-west states and the Federal government represented by the vice president, Yemi Osinbajo alongside Attorney-General Abubakar Malami and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, a compromise on operation Amotekun has been reached by the parties
According to the VP’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande the meeting was at the instance of the governors who had asked to see President Muhammadu Buhari over the controversy surrounding the Amotekun initiative. Due to the president’s absence, Buhari asked the vice president to host the meeting.
Laolu Akande says;
“Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing the security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of Amotekun should also align with the Community Policing strategy of the Federal Government. At the meeting, it was also agreed that necessary legal instruments will be put in place by each of the States to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure”
This is probably the fallout from the statement by Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami insisting Amotekun is illegal and the attorney generals earlier advise that the governors seek legislation to back the security outfit.
Malami shortly before the meeting maintained the southwest security outfit is illegal and not known to the constitution of Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement by Malami’s Special Assistant on Media, Umar Gwandu shortly before the meeting between the governors and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Gwandu read Malami’s words saying:
“People could be carried away by sentimental or emotional inclinations, but the truth remains palpable. The bottom line is that the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not accommodate the formation of regional security architecture”
Meanwhile, the AGF on Thursday, Jan 23 during a radio interview clarified that he never opposed the formation of ‘Operation Amotekun’ but was advising South-West governors to enact laws to support its establishment otherwise the anti-crime operation remains illegal.
He says “It just a piece of advice to the state governor to use their powers and the House of Assembly in their various states to enact a law that will make the operation more effective.”
Malami’s recent comments follow a massive backlash by supporters of Amotekun after the attorney general had on January 14 pronounced the southwest security outfit illegal.
Chairman, South West Governors Forum, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, corroborated the vice president’s statement assuring they will come together to ensure Amotekun is a success.
He clarified that the resolution does not require that operations of Amotekun will be halted but southwest governors will simultaneously work to incorporate the security outfit with federal government’s community policing policy.
The Ondo state governor also defended the attorney general’s comment saying he was misinterpreted and the governors will work on implementing Malami’s recommendations.
Finally speaking on the security outfit after weeks of silence, the National leader of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had encouraged both the southwest governors to hold private discussions with the Attorney General to work out all contentious issues surrounding the creation of Amotekun.
This meeting is believed to have also been influenced by Tinubu’s recommendations.
In addition, the speaker House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the house will support Amoketun.
Facts about Amotekun
Operation Amotekun is an initiative of the governors in the South-West geopolitical zone as a result of consistent insecurities facing the region. These include several reported cases of kidnapping, robbery, and banditry in the Yoruba land.
Amotekun is a collective initiative by the South-West Governors, namely; Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Engr. Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Prince Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Chief Isiaka Oyetola (Osun) and Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos).
Amotekun means The Leopard in the Yoruba Language. The name represents ‘Zero tolerance to crime’. Operation Amotekun which has its headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital is the first regional security outfit initiated by a geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Each state has contributed 100 units of motorcycles making a total of 600 motorcycles. 20 patrol vehicles, communication gadgets, and other security gadgets.
Operation Amotekun is made up of specifically hired local hunters, members of vigilante groups, men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC). 1, 320 militiamen will be employed for this operation.
Operation Amotekun officials will also carry Dane guns just like the way hunters are allowed to do and its officials will man 52 black spots across the South-West geopolitical region.
