RISING INSECURITY IN S/WEST: How locals, others frustrate us Amotekun Commanders
On
By Dayo Johnson, Shina Abubakar, Deola Badru, James Ogunnaike and Rotimi Ojomoyela
Commanders of Western Nigeria Security Network, WNS, also known as Amotekun Corps, have lamented that absence of cooperation from residents, failed roads and inadequate gadgets are frustrating their efforts at responding accordingly to the rising crime rate in the South-West.
They particularly singled out what was called the absence of support from residents of states where they operate as a major challenge that may determine how far Amotekun may go in achieving its mandate.
In separate interviews with Sunday Vanguard, they cited instances where locals had frustrated operations aimed at either apprehending criminals or visiting crime scenes.
Mrs Ayolola Adedoja, the chairman of Chairman of Amotekun Corps,
Gen. Kunle Togun (retd), said the herdsmen claimed they were invited into the state by traditional rulers. While commending the hunters led by one
Prophet Ojuawo, Togun urged the people of the state to support the security outfit to make it more effective. He also said Amotekun was open to criticism, adding that such criticism should not be to discourage the corps from its duty of protecting lives and property. He said,
“On December 24, some herdsmen were seen at the Opara Forest Reserve in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State. The attention of the chairman of the Amotekun corps was called to it and the Amotekun corps swung into action.
Former Head of Military Intelligence and Oyo State Chairman of Western Nigerian Security Network (a.k.a. Amotekun), Gen. Kunle Togun (rtd.), has said that the insecurity in Oyo is deep; hence residents should not expect Amotekun operatives to perform magic in a month.
Togun stated this yesterday while featuring as guest of a parley on the Nigerian situation organised by the National Association of Public Affairs Analysts (NAPAA) at Sango, Ibadan. x
Present at the parley were frontline analysts, columnists and commentators, including the Executive Secretary of NAPAA, Jare Ajayi; Mashood Erubami, Adeleke Pamilerin, Omololu Ejidiran and Segun Ogungbayi.
Punch Newspapers
Sections
Olufemi Olaniyi, Ibadan
A man said to be a member of the Oyo State Security Agency, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, has allegedly killed two persons in the Isale Osi area of Ibadan.
The two victims were identified as Akin Delokun and Azeez Hammed.
The suspect, Sikiru Apanpa, was also alleged to have shot and injured another resident in the same area.
Some residents claimed that Apanpa was a member of the Oodua People’s Congress, but was later recruited by Operation Amotekun.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the killings happened on Thursday when a resident invited the Amotekun corps to intervene in a fight among hoodlums in the area.
Oyo State Head of Service, Ololade Agboola (left); Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan; Governor Seyi Makinde; Chairman, Amotekun Corps, Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun (rtd) and others, during the commissioning of 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorcycles for the security network in Ibadan… yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM
Swears in Ismaila Lawal as commissioner, moves Sangodoyin to Works
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, yesterday, commissioned about 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorcycles for the state’s Western Nigeria Security Network, code-named Amotekun Corps, to ensure effective security coverage of all nooks and crannies in the state.
The ceremony, which took place at the premises of the Oyo State House of Assembly, had in attendance the deputy governor and other top government functionaries.