CATTLE HERDERS INVASION:Oyo Lawmakers Task Makinde on Amotekun Operation
Oyo state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has been urged to inaugurate members of the State Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun corps.
The call was made this Tuesday by members of the Oyo State House of Assembly during plenary.
The lawmakers argue that the takeoff became expedient owing to incessant bloody clashes between farmers and cattle herders across the state.
GOALPOACHER NEWS had reported yesterday that armed cattle herders on Sunday invaded three villages in Akinyele local government area, the villages includes, Ikereku, Pade, Olanla and Babalola, killing three people, two of the deceased were were ward chairmen at the local government.
Reacting to the sad incident, Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin held that the sooner Amotekun corps was constituted, the better for the state in terms of security.
Though the Assembly recognised the recent nomination of General Kunle Togun as chairman and as retired Cololonel Olayanju Olayinka as commandant, the lawmakers wondered what could be hindering the formation of the Amotekun board that will subsequently recruit personnel.
Member representing Oyo East/Oyo West, Honourable Isiaka Kazeem had through a motion drawn the attention of the Assembly to the recent invasion of villages in Akinyele local government area by herdsmen resulting in killing of some persons.
Noting that the police and other security agencies were overstretched in terms of personnel, he stressed that residents of the state yearned for Amotekun to kick start operations.
Majority leader, Honourable Sanjo Adedoyin wondered what slowed the full takeoff of Amotekun in the state.
He also pointed to instances of herdsmen related killings and violence in Oriire local government area, noting that Amotekun will complement the existing security agencies in reaching remote parts of the state.
Noting that Amotekun in Osun and Ekiti states had become operational, deputy Speaker, Honourable Abiodun Fadeyi called for investigation into what could he hindering its takeoff months after the state Assembly passed the Amotekun bill into law.
According to Minority Leader, Honourable Asimiyu Alarape, it was high time the executive arm put into effect the Amotekun Agency law and anti-grazing law to give farmers some security against invasion of their farmlands by herdsmen.
Contributing, Chief Whip, Honourable Akeem Adedibu admonished people to also be security conscious and notify security agencies of the entry of strange persons into their communities.
Meanwhile, the Assembly has urged residents and companies not to relax on adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures even as the country continues to ease nationwide lockdown.
Deliberating on motion by Honourable Rasak Mabaje of Ido constituency, members asked that publicity should still be intensified to debar notions that COVID-19 no more exists.