Governor Makinde Reacts To Call For State Policing In Nigeria
The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has reacted to the calls for State Policing in Nigeria. According to him, for governors to play the role of Chief Security Officers of their states, state policing is the way forward.
Governor Makinde, however, expressed optimism that someday, state governments will get enough support at the national level to achieve constitutional review.
Meanwhile, the passing-out ceremony of the Àmòtékún Corps in Oyo Town was held on Wednesday.
Speaking at the occasion, Makinde noted that it has been a long journey to get to this point from July 2019, when the first meeting was held by all six south-west governors to set up a regional security outfit.
Makinde revealed that the Àmòtékún Corps will collaborate with federal security agencies to secure the state while members of the corps will be drafted to all the 351 wards in Oyo State.
You will recall that the Oyo State House of Assembly passed the Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill 2020, which was signed into law a few days later.
The Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, is an independent outfit.
According to Makinde, the primary functions of the Amotekun Corps include Collaborating with and assisting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in gathering information.
They will be involved in crime, the investigation of crime, arrest, and prosecution of persons suspected of kidnapping, terrorism, destruction of livelihood, criminal damage to property, cultism, highway robbery, and any other illegal activities.