South West Governors to sign Amotekun bill Feb.14

The South West region of the country rising to the challenge of battling the insecurity challenge ravaging the country, especially as it has creeped into the region, the Governors of the zone unanimously agreed to launch a security outfit called Amotekun to fight insecurity.

The security outfit was founded on January 9, 2020 in Ibadan, To State.

Though the Federal Government had raised a question over the said security outfit, describing it as illegal through the the Attorney General of the Federation, Malami Abubakar but he met fierce opposition from the leaders of the South West and high profile lawyers.

In a bid to manage any backlash that may serve as a hindrance, the Houses of the Assembly of the Zone came together to work on the a legislative framework, which seems to be ready.

Hinting on the progress made so far made, Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday said the bill seeking legal backing for the Western Nigeria Security outfit code-named ‘Operation Amotekun’ initiated by the six Governors in the Southwest region would be simultaneously assented to on Friday, February 14.

Fayemi, who disclosed this while receiving proposal bill on Amotekun from Ekiti Attorney-General, Olawale Fapohunda, said the bill when enacted will give the security outfits legal strengthen for sustainability.

The governor said that the draft bill will be extensively discussed during the State’s Executive Council meeting on Wednesday for immediate transmission to the House of Assembly.

He pointed out that Amotekun was conceived by the six governors as a regional response to curb the scourge of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and all forms of criminalities facing the region.

He noted Amotekun was in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s security initiative on community policing primarily to curb the worrisome security challenges afflicting the country.

Fayemi debunked insinuation by those against the security outfit that it was targeted at a particularly ethnic group, noting Amotekun was not to give exclusive protection for Yoruba people but every law abiding residents in the region regardless of their tribe and ethnic affiliation.

“A lot of people have misconstrued about the essence of the Amotekun security network. It is not about an exclusive protection of indigenes of the South West.

“It is about safety and security of every person resident in the six states of the South West, regardless of where they might have come from.

“As long as their are legitimately and legally resident in every part of the states, we consider it our duty, we consider it our responsibility to protect them as long as their within the jurisdiction.