The final launch of the much-talked-about Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Amotekun’ no doubt was another watershed in the history of Nigeria, and, indeed, the affected part of the country.
Despite the fact that opposition to the launch in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State was almost immediately neutralized, there is need for the governors of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti States in the persons of Engineer Seyi Makinde, Gboyega Oyetola, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr Kayode Fayemi respectively to ensure timely commencement of operations by the security outfit.
For now, legal frameworks for the ultimate emergence of Amotekun personnel are being worked out by the Attorney General and Commissioners for Justice of the affected states as well as the Houses of Assembly. It is believed that all these stakeholders will move with time.
There are so many reasons why the outfit should start work almost immediately and the first is the fact that it is now that the ovation is loudest that many will cheerfully offer support. The perception that Amotekun is a rallying point is enough for the governors to secure human and material resources from all Yoruba men and women within and outside the country.
Secondly, vehicles and other logistic materials have been released to states in anticipation that action would start. But till today, legal frameworks are still being worked out. Most of these vehicles and logistic items need to be put to work for the purposes they were given out.
It is our believe that Mr Seye Oyeleye and his crew at the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) – charged with the responsibility of overseeing the Amotekun Project will see the need to hasten up and allow Amotekun Corps to start working.
Amotekun as a security network is designed to work in collaboration and as a complementary network with the police and the security agencies and armed forces. It will also depend on local people because of local intelligence.
Yorubas are patiently waiting and they believe this project will work.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
