Constitute Oyo Amotekun corps urgently, Assembly tells Makinde

The Oyo State Assembly has admonished state governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, to urgently see to the takeoff of the state security agency network, known as Amotekun corps.

The Assembly said the takeoff became expedient owing to intermittent incidences of herdsmen invading farmlands and clashing with farmers and residents across the state.

Herdsmen had on Sunday invaded some villages in Akinyele local government area, like Ikereku, Pade, Olanla and Babalola, killing three persons.

In his remarks, 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 Colonel Olayanju Olayinka as commandant, the lawmakers wondered what could be hindering the formation of the Amotekun board that will subsequently recruit personnel.

The 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 the killing of some persons

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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 an investigation into what could be 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 the 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.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE