….as gov inaugurates Amotekun Corps governing board
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Monday, lampooned the opposition for riding on the perception of insecurity to gain prominence by politicising the situation and rubbishing the security architecture of the state.
The governor, however maintained that, security is a collective responsibility, not just for the government or governor alone, adding that everybody needs to come on board and play their own part.
Makinde, made this known, during the inauguration of Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Governing Board, which held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.
The governor, who bemoaned the security challenges in the country, observed that one of the reasons for the establishment of the Amotekun Corps was to bring security operatives closer to the people.
He said, Amotekun Corps are faced with superior fire-power, adding that, they were not licensed to carry weapons like AK-47 compared with the sophisticated weapons being carried by the bandits.
“So, with the visible challenges that they are faced with, they have been able to fill the gap of local policing successfully. It has been difficult but they have been doing it,” Makinde said.
He stated further: “We believe that with the inauguration of this board today, we will see even more visible action in securing Oyo State, especially in the area of fostering relationships between Amotekun of Oyo State and similar security network agencies in our neighboring states; Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States.”
“We also expect more inter-agency cooperation within the state. Remember that one of the reasons we started the Amotekun Corps is to bring security operatives closer to the people. We were asking for state police and we could not get that because it involves amending the constitution of the country and it is a big task. But while we were waiting for that, we believe that we have to move on.”
“On many occasions, I have watched videos. Amotekun Corps are faced with superior fire-power. They are not licensed to carry weapons like AK-47 but we see bandits carrying such weapons. So, with the visible challenges that they are faced with, they have been able to fill the gap of local policing successfully. It has been difficult but they have been doing it.”
“So, if things as they are now, we wonder how things might have been without Amotekun Corps. With this Board, the heads of other security agencies are expected to provide the higher …coverage that is needed for the Amotekun to function.”
“I have been listening and watching people tryimg to politicise the issue of security. Well, I want to appeal to such individuals within the state. It is our state and it is only God that puts people in position. If you want to destroy your state before everybody to gain political power, I wonder the kind of state such an individual or group of people will want to preside over. We have seen cases where they doctor videos to discredit Amotekun. We have seen cases where people go out and outrightly lie.”
“Now, everybody has been on the street as an advisor on security. They have all sorts of advice they gave to me and I asked them where they practiced their own security. They have not gone beyond their streets, maybe they organized neighborhood watch and they think that it is the qualification on how to advise us on the issue of security.”
“Apart from riding on the perception of insecurity to gain prominence, they should wait, let us build Oyo State together. If it is God’s will for them to be in power in 2023 God will do it for them easily. But we must not destroy our state. We must not politicise insecurity. Yes some people did it at the national level and they gained power in 2015, but Nigerians are wiser.”
“We will continue to take the issue of security of lives and property and people being able to go about their lawful endeavors in Oyo State seriously. And we also need to know that because of the policies of this administration, a lot of people are coming in to Oyo State. And when you have more and more people coming in, it will come with its own set of challenges, it will also come with opportunities as well.”
“In the days ahead, we will also let the people of Oyo State know new things that we are doing as far as security is concerned. And when they see security operatives all around, they must give them total support. Security is our collective responsibility. It’s not just for the Government or governor alone. So everybody needs to come on board and play their own part,” Makinde admonished.
The governor disclosed that inaugurating the board became imperative in his bid to continue to expand the state’s security architecture and improve it’s system, which he said, was in fulfillment of the law setting up the Amotekun Corps.
“As we continue to expand our security architecture and improve our system, and also in fulfillment of the law setting up the Amotekun Corps, we have to inaugurate the Board, and that is exactly what we are doing here today.”
“The law establishing the Oyo State Security and Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to assist in maintaining law and order in the state and for other matters connected therewith stipulates the establishment of the Governing Board in section 7,” he said.