CULLED FROM NEWSHEREANDTHERE MAGAZINE
By Our Reporters
Chairman of Amotekun corps Commandants in the South West/ Ondo state Commandant Akogun Adetunji Adeleye
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, the Southwest Governors comprising Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde, Ademola Adeleke of Osun state,, Ondo state Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji, Ogun state,Dapo Abiodun and Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-Olu brainstormed on meaningful interstate collaboration for the growth and development of the region.
The forum, hosted by the Lagos state governor among other key issues resolved to appoint special advisors on security with the establishment of a joint surveillance monitoring team to coordinate security affairs of the region.
The govenor’s forum at the end of the meeting arrived at 11 point communique which was read to the newsmen by governor Sanwo-Olu. The forum demanded meaningful collaboration between the police and the local security outfits while decrying ISWAP activities and the danger in the South West.
The governor’s forum expressed strong determination and commitment to clampdown on all forms of security challenges in the South West.
“The Forum agreed to establish a Joint Surveillance Monitoring Team to oversee and coordinate security efforts across the South West Region.
“As part of this resolution, the Forum has committed to deploying advanced technology,including aerial surveillance systems, to enhance security operations.
“Additionally, the forum resolved that its Special Advisers on Security should collaborate on intelligence gathering and sharing between State security agencies, local security networks, and federal law enforcement authorities among South-West States”’. Sanwo -Olu stated.
Challenges of insecurity
In recent times, the challenges of insecurity in Nigeria has greatly affected economic and peaceful co-existence . These challenges vary from Terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, cultism, Farmers- Herders clash among others.
The menace has subdued investment opportunities, agricultural development, employment opportunities,while also affected government in generating vibrant revenue.
Security challenges have been described by many as the outcome of lack of education , weak leadership, failure in enforcement and implementation of law, vulnerability of boarders and influx of weapons.
Negligence on the part of both leaders and the led is also critical in the situation.
The challenges have escalated to the point of urgent demand for clarity in the roles of various security operatives on ground while clamouring for required coordinated joint efforts to effectively handle the situation. Reports indicate that Complacency from government and other influential need to be addressed. Hence the purpose for the brainstorm by those governors to nip the challenges in the bud for adequate security of lives and properties in the region.
Collaborative efforts
The role of citizens in addressing security challenges is significant especially community based information for intelligence gathering. This has been described as “a crucial role that can be achieved through empowerment of the locals in collaboration with security agencies”
The Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, Professor Anthony Kila expressed concern on how insecurity has seriously affected farming in the country and making negative impact to food security.
Kila spoke on Arise Television programme while reeling out the expectations of Nigerians from the government in the year 2025. He described Security and Agriculture as crucial issues to be addressed . “We need to secure the land, we need to deploy security to the farm to achieve food security”. He further urged government to redefine its position and policy for simplification.
“Government should reform human capital development , get security and agriculture right. The country will be a better place”.
Call for State Police
Agitation for the establishment of state police in Nigeria has been ongoing for about seven decades. Recently House of Assembly speakers in the 36 states of the Federation announced support for the proposal. The development has raised the hope with the optimism that majority of the lawmakers at the National Assembly would endorse it for final Presidential approval .
A staunch advocate of regional police was Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he was the premier of the Western region . Awolowo stated that regionalised police was a feature of federalism,”true federalism”, he added that its “humiliating” that a regional government saddled with the power of maintain law and order for peaceful co-existence lack the power to manage its own policing . The existing policing structure according to him would make the central government become “authoritarian”
Creation of Amotekun
On Thursday 9th January, 2020, the then six governors in the S/West, Rotimi Akeredolu, (Ondo) Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) , Babajide Sanwo- Olu (Lagos) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) officially in Ibadan , Oyo state capital launched a security outfit,codenamed Amotekun.
The inauguration was attended by relevant stakeholders included,Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The governors said Amotekun was established to strengthen the security situation in the region.
Amotekun then kick started with the take off security equipment of 20 Pick-up Vans with communication gadgets and one hundred motorcycles for each state.
Governor Fayemi who clarified that Amotekun was not a replacement for the Nigerian Police, said
“Amotekun is a complement that will give our people confidence that hey are being looked after by those they elected into office.
“So we do not want this to create fear in the mind of anybody as we are not creating a regional police force and are fully aware of the steps we must take to have state police.
“We do not want anybody to misconstrue the concept of Amotekun
“As elected leaders, our primary responsibility, according to section 14 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, is the security and welfare of citizens
“That was what informed the governors coming together to fashion out a way to complement the work of the mainstream security agencies overstretched in their efforts to arrest the menace that have afflicted the entire country”. Fayemi said..
Governor Akeredolu on his own part tasked the personnel and relevant stakeholders of the outfit not to politicise the operation. The governor added that Amotekun vehicles would not be allowed to be used for political campaigns during electioneering
Governor Seyi Makinde highlighted the responsibility of the government in protecting its citizens
“What we do is to keep our people safe , not fighting Nigeria but the elements among us that seek to destabilise our region.
Integration on the call for State Policing
As a matter of urgency and necessity in tackling all forms of security challenges in the region The chairman of the Amotekun corps commanders in the South West, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye has urged governors in the region on the support for the establishment of state police to curb security challenges in the country.
Adeleye spoke n Ado-Ekiti while delivering a lecture, titled ‘Breaking the Barriers to a Secured Society’.
The lecture was organized by the Ekiti state council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ with the support of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, South West and the State Bureau of Local Content
The Amotekun Chief boss, who is also the Ondo state Commandant called government on meaningful investment in local and grassroots policing to be able to tackle criminality in the zone for safety of peoples lives/properties.
He urged the cooperation of the stakeholders especially the traditional rulers and residents on adequate information in their environment to enable the outfit in its activities. Adeleye lamented bureaucracies and other factors said to have limited the performances of the existing security agencies in the country, despite the fact that they are all doing their best on security matters.
Adeleye signalled that crimes are perpetrated in the communities added that only grassroots networks of security can effectively tackle crime .
The Chairman of the Commandants said:”The issue of insecurity in Nigeria is a serious problem now and the solution is grassroots policing,which is state policing. The bureaucracy with the existing security arrangements is so wide that by the time instructions come from the high and mighty, the criminals are gone
“We need to take decisive decisions and once you have grassroots policing ,the solution is right with us. The South West governors should endeavour to empower our own home-grown security which is Amotekun to complement the efforts of the modern security agencies.
“Community policing is the panacea to resolving security challenges. Managing local information and intelligence is very key . If we go grassroots, tere will be no hidden place for criminals and I believe with this, the social economic life of our people will be enhanced”
His counterpart , the Ogun state Commandant Brigadier- General Alade Adedigba (Rtd) stressed on the urgency of addressing security challenges in boarder communities to prevent criminalities such as kidnapping, robbery among others . The commandant spoke at a crucial meeting with stakeholders held at the palace of the Ologere of Ogere, Oba James Obafemi Saliu.
The Ogun commandant said, “having witnessed various security challenges along the Lagos- Ibadan expressway corridor and Ogere axis, it becomes quite imperative that we take proactive measures in our determination to safeguard our people and also foster a secure environment to bolster economic growth in that area and the state at large.
The Amotekun boss disclosed the plan of the state government in recruiting more personnel and procure additional patrol vans with communication gadgets for improvement in the operational schedule of the security outfit
“We believed that the people who live in these areas have the best understanding of their environment. Therefore, the proposed marshals’ participation will not only empower them but create a more integrated approach to security, as they serve as eyes and ears of our security operations, enabling us to respond swiftly to any threats that may arise”, the Ogun commandant said.
The Amotekun Commandant in Osun state, Dr. Hon.Adekunle Isaac Omoyele in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Idowu Abass expressed the commitment of the security outfit to adequate security ,peace and tranquility in the state. Omoyele stated this amidst the fear of the report of movement of bandits who escaped military crackdown in the North West to the South West.
The Osun Commandant said :’We are sending a clear and unmbiguous message to all criminals: Osun is not a sanctuary for bandits, kidnappers, or any group intending to disrupt the peace and security of our people.
“ We will not tolerate the presence of these lawless elements in our midst. Our men are fully deployed, vigilant, and ready to combat any threats with the utmost force.”
The Oyo state commandant , Rtd Colonel Olayinka Olayanju stated that forest rangers have been deployed last year October to 25 local government areas (LGAs) with the aim of tackling kidnapping , banditry and other criminalities in the forests. He disclosed the collaboration of Amotekun with Community- Based Security- Oriented Groups to increase boarder patrols. He added that community-based groups, traditional and opinion leaders have been saddled with the responsibility of surveillance and intelligence gathering within the settlements and the state’s forest.
The Oyo commandant said:”All the security agencies within the state, including the military have been mobilized by Governor Seyi Makinde to be on red alert to respond appropriately to any threats.
“More resources mobilised include community – based security – oriented groups for surveillance and intelligence- gathering tasks.
“Furthermore border patrol activities have been stepped up by my operatives in conjunction with CBAG, as well as sensitization efforts by the traditional and opinion leaders, particularly around settlements at the fridges of our forest resources is on the upwards trajectory”
The Ekiti Amotekun Commander , Brig. Gen.Olu Adewa alerted the stakeholders on the need for advanced weapons . Adewa also revealed the plan to recruit more personnel for Ekiti Amotekun outfit.
“The state government said they would recruit. We are waiting , we are eager we are on it. This will be made public
‘Amotekun in Ekiti state is barely 300
“The threat perception or threat level, the purse and the land mass of the different states are different . These are the factors”.
The state commissioner for information, Taiwo Olatunbosun hghlighted the significant efforts of governor Biodun Oyebanji in ensuring the safety of Ekiti communities and citizens.
The commissioner said,”We are doing a lot and we will continue to do a lot. We are investing in technology to prevent crime anywhere in the state.
“The state government has also ensured collaboration among the conventional security agencies and the local arm to work together to ensure the safety of lives and property .
“The establishment of the Agro Rangers to join the Amotekun and the peace Corps that we have as the local detachment of our security to collaborate with the conventional ones is also part of the move.
“They understand the terrain, they understand the environment and the nooks and crannies of the state and that has helped
“ We have equally established a security committee that involves both the traditional rulers and the leadership of the local councils which involves all security networks.
“we have done that to make Ekiti a safer place for everybody”
Lagos as the nation’s commercial city is vulnerable in terms of population and therefor prone to criminality , kidnapping and other menace threatening safety of peoples lives and properties. The strategic political and economic importance of Lagos to the nation also make the state prone to crime .
The state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the Renewed Hope Police Agenda Citizens Townhall Engagement on Strengthening Policing in Nigeria with the theme , “Community Policing : Building a Safer Nigeria Together” at Victoria Island , called for modernisation of the security architecture and operations with the deployment of state -of -the- art technology for improved efficiency. The governor delared that security personnel need smartphones to enhance information dissemination and intelligence.
“For us in Lagos state,and as should be expected of the economic, commercial and industrial nerve centre of Nigeria, the safety of lives and property has always been a top priority. It is a strong factor in our administration’s commitment to create and sustain a conducive environment that is attractive for local and foreign investment.
“To achieve this objective, we have initiated a number of strategies aimed at strengthening the capacity and the will of the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies in the State to enhance their effectiveness in tackling security challenges in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The Amotekun Chief Commandant ,Adeleye declared that the outfit would recruit adequate and enough personnels to eliminate bandits and other criminals hiding in forests across the region. He disclosed that the Amotekun rangers have been sent into the forests to drive out the bandits to enhance adequate security in the South West”
The Amotekun boss who therefore highlighted the achievement of Ondo Amotekun in the first quarter of 2025 stated:
“The first quarter of 2025 has been particularly eventful from a security perspective. Numerous incidents have kept us alert and active, but we thank Almighty God that the current situation remains under control.
” From January to date, the Amotekun Corps responded to over 500 distress calls. Within this period, approximately 750 suspected criminals were profiled. These arrests span a range of offenses, including kidnapping, armed robbery, housebreaking, rape, cultism, human trafficking, and fraud. Of those apprehended, about 175 suspects have been formally charged in court, while others are undergoing investigation.
“One notable operation this quarter involved a potential crisis between herders and farmers at the Owena Dam axis. In that incident, herders vandalized farm produce estimated at a value of approximately ₦265,000. However, the Corps intervened and successfully mediated the situation to prevent escalation.
“On or around February 14, operatives of the Amotekun Rangers intercepted two trucks carrying 114 individuals with no fixed address. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that they intended to settle in Ondo State’s forests without any justifiable reason. These individuals were promptly returned to their respective states of origin at the expense of the government. This action followed a directive from the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, mandating that any persons without credible reasons for residing in forest areas be evacuated.
“During this same period, two unprovoked attacks occurred in remote farming communities in Akure North Local Government Area. In response, the government deployed a multi-agency security operation—Operation Dada—comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the military, and Amotekun. This joint operation has since secured the Akure North region and the Ondo-Edo boundary. The collaboration has yielded positive results, including arrests deep within forested areas.
“Furthermore, the Corps recovered approximately $5,000 from a syndicate specializing in visa fraud. Twenty-eight Ghanaians were deceived into coming to Akure under the pretense of assistance in securing U.S. visas. The perpetrators were arrested, and the funds were returned to the victims, who have since been advised to return to their home country”
On cult-related activities, the commandant added that “we experienced near breakdowns of law and order in parts of the Northern Senatorial District. Over 150 cultists were arrested and profiled. More than 80 of them signed undertakings in court renouncing cultism, with a warning that re-arrest would result in full prosecution. Those involved in violent acts are currently being prosecuted and remain in correctional custody”
Adeleye expressed appreciation to the Governor of Ondo State,” for his continued support, particularly through the implementation of the enhanced Amotekun Southwest Salary Scale—an initiative that has greatly boosted the morale of our officers and men”
The Amotekun boss expressed committment ” to ensuring the safety of lives and property throughout Ondo State, working closely with all other security agencies.”
He also highlighted the efforts of the security outfit on ensuring the implementation of law and order saying, “16 suspected criminals have been apprehended. Regarding pending enforcement, our actions were tied to the recent ban on Okada (motorcycle taxis). All violators arrested were caught operating Okadas at night.
“We issued a final warning to 46 individuals. Only those with criminal tendencies were arrested, and they have all been profiled accordingly.
“On land and chieftaincy matters, no new issues have been reported.
On labor union matters, the state remains peaceful.
On anti-grazing and farmer-herder clashes, there has been only one reported incident.
On human trafficking, no cases have been recorded during the period under review.
On kidnapping, 13 suspects have been apprehended.
“This represents a decline in the number of suspected kidnappers arrested compared to the previous quarter. We assure the public that the state remains relatively safe. We are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the continued safety of lives and property.
“Among those arrested are repeat offenders, including serial rapists who have been prosecuted in the past but reoffended. We have also apprehended individuals specializing in burglary—both residential and commercial—who have previously served time in correctional centers but have reengaged in criminal activity.
“Additionally, some individuals arrested were found supplying daily needs to suspected kidnappers hiding in the forests.”
Adeleye also highlighted the clampdown on robbers pretending to be scavengers.
“The majority of the scavengers are actual informants of kidnappers and gang robbers. Apart from that, they equally engage in outright kidnapping themselves.
“You will recall that a couple of months ago, they carried the whole human being and put into the truck
So the state government is working on banning scavenging activities within the state.
“But what Mr. Governor has said is that he has to provide a substitute for ensuring cleaning before they are totally banned. But I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, the government will take action against the nefarious activities of the scavengers.
“The majority of scavengers operating within the state have been identified as informants for kidnappers and armed robbery gangs. In some cases, they are directly involved in acts of kidnapping.
” You may recall that a few months ago, an incident occurred where scavengers transported a human being in a truck, disguising the person as cargo—specifically, as fish.
“In response to this growing threat, the state government is actively considering a total ban on scavenging activities. However, as emphasized by Mr. Governor, a viable alternative for maintaining environmental cleanliness must first be established before implementing the ban.
“I can assure you that, in the shortest possible time, the government will take decisive action against the illicit and dangerous activities associated with scavengers.”
Adeleye declared that“ The Amotekun rangers are in the forest already to flush out the bandits who may want to use our forests as hideouts.”
He seeks adequate support for the Amotekun on provision of needed security equipment to enhance the operation.