Categories: News

Why Amotekun Can’t Address South West Security Problems – Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi

Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi, says South West will continue to grapple with some security challenges because of factors mitigating against the optimal performance and efficiency of Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, the region’s security outfit.

Ekohotblog reports that Fayemi spoke on Friday when he featured on Channels television programme.

He said Amotekun is handicapped by law because its officials are not allowed to bear weapons, noting that an armless Amotekun operative can’t wholly address southwest security woes because he can’t confront criminal elements who possess sophisticated weapon.

He noted that state government will, at one point or the other, ultimately use their prerogative when it comes securing their domain.

He also spoke on the misgivings and cynism that have characterised the clamour for creation of state police with many fearing that governors will abuse it, he averred that measures would be put in place to curtail it arbitrary and diabolical use.

“States ultimately may need to take greater charge of security within their own jurisdiction. Some of us, and the Nigerian Governor’s Forum specifically, have argued consistently in the past, that we need multi-level policing in this country, and multilevel policing for us is not a revocation of federal police,” he said.

He disclosed that state police will serve as complimentary security outfit to federal police, he noted that this will help address the issue of mistrust in the polity, adding that mechanisms will be put in place “to deal with aberrant usage of local or state police. We have the Nigerian police council which hardly functions”

“Amotekun is working, but it’s not working optimally because they’re not even allowed to carry weapons. So, what’s the use of an Amotekun that cannot confront a kidnapper in the bush because the kidnapper is carrying an AK-47 and he’s carrying a stick? Let’s be real; it’s not going to work.

“As an intelligence officer, if you’re targeted because they know you’re the one providing information to the mainstream security agencies, you’re under threat.”