… Corps operational success, strongest argument for reform — Ex-Ondo Speaker

The Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun, has disclosed that the South West is well positioned for a seamless transition to state policing.

While declaring full operational readiness for the much-anticipated security reform, the chairman of Amotekun commanders in the region, Adetunji Adeleye, stressed that the decentralization of Nigeria’s security architecture remains the most viable solution to the country’s insecurity challenges.

Established in 2020 by the six South West governors, Amotekun has operated as a regional security initiative designed to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery, among others.

The call for state policing has gained momentum across the country in recent years, with proponents arguing that the current centralized police force is overstretched to address the diverse security challenges facing different parts of the country.

Adetunji, who is the commander of the corps in Ondo State, cited the success of the Amotekun initiative as evidence that community-based security frameworks are more effective in identifying and apprehending criminals at community and state levels.

The Amotekun commander emphasized that the corps’ operational effectiveness has been validated through the judicial system, noting that numerous suspects arrested by the security network are currently serving various jail terms.

Adeleye assured that the Southwest Amotekun corps is fully prepared and capable of evolving into the smooth takeoff of state policing across the region.

He said, “On the issue of state policing. In the last couple of years, the position of the Council of Amotekun Commanders of the South West has always been that state policing remains the only viable solution to the present insecurity in the country because it’s easier, especially by adopting the Amotekun initiative, to identify criminals.

“That is why you find out that this year alone we have arrested and prosecuted well over 500 suspected criminals, and in so many of those cases we’ve been vindicated. Some of them are serving their various jail terms.

“So I think it is a giant stride in the right direction, adopting state policing as a way of decentralizing the security architecture of the country.”

“As per our readiness, as far as the southwest is concerned, we are ready to adjust and conform with whatever is put in place to ensure the smooth takeoff of state policing.”

Also, a former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, success of Amotekun in Ondo State is enough justification for state police to kick off in Nigeria.

She said, “As for the quest to have the requirement of state police entrenched in our Constitution, suffice it to say that methinks that the success of the Amotekun Corps of Ondo State is the strongest case for state police in Nigeria.”