L
ast week, the much publi-
cised official launch of the
South West security outfit
known as Amotekun took
place in Ibadan, Oyo State
amidst fun fare. The project was con-
ceived by the South West Governors
last year following serial killings and
kidnapping allegedly carried out by
the Fulani herdsmen. The decision to
set up Amotekun was convened by
the Development Agenda for Western
Nigeria.
However, of the six governors that
make up the South West region and
who were the sponsors of the project,
it is interesting that only three of
them eventually attended the launch.
Those absent were Babajide San-
wo-olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of
Ogun State and Gboyega Oyetola of
Osun State. Those of Osun and Ogun
sent their deputies while the Gover-
nor of Lagos attributed his inability to
be present to bad weather. Their ab-
sence at the launch did not go down
well with many who believed it was
a clear sign that the powers that be
were not favourably disposed to the
Amotekun project from conception.
To drive home this point, few days
later, and while residence of the
South West region were still basking
in the euphoria of expected renewed
security, there came a bombshell. The
Attorney General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice, through his
spokesman, Dr Umar Gwandu, de-
clared the outfit illegal. The AGF said
he was not consulted on the matter,
insisting that had such been done, he
would have advised against it in order
to preserve Nigeria’s defence and
corporate entity.
This statement attributed to the
AGF did not come as a surprise to
some political analysts who had all
along been following the various
comments and opinions attributed
to the Northern Youth Council of
Nigeria and some influential North-
ern elders, including General Ibrahim
Babangida who were obviously not
comfortable with the arrangement.
The former had alleged that the outfit
represents the military wing of the OPC
in disguise. Also, several government
officials have been quoted as insisting
that setting up the regional outfit was
meant to destabilize the country.
Interesting, some supporters of the
Amotekun outfit have come out openly
to accuse the FG of being double sided
in its approach to security issues in the
country. For instance, they wondered
why similar outfits in the North such
as civilian JTF are allowed to function
unmolested over the years. They argued
that the governors had merely exer-
cised their power to protect life and
property.
We want to plead with our leaders
to stop playing politics with issues of
security. Every hands must be on deck
to safeguard the lives and properties of
Nigerias, including regional arrange-
ment like the Amotekun. In addition,
They should reconsider the need to
introduce community policing across
the country. The enabling laws should
be enacted to put teeth to relevant
security bodies to legitimize their
operations and assist the police in
safeguarding Nigerians.
