PDP, Agbekoya, others drum support for Amotekun in Lagos

Amotekun The vehicles and some of the operatives of Special security outfit in Western Nigeria

Colonel Olayinka Oyo Amotekun commandant explains role of Fulani herdsmen in forest raids

Amotekun guardsmen

Stakeholders at Lagos Assembly Public Hearing on Amotekun Bill, including opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, pledged their support for the establishment of the security outfit in the state.

They spoke during a one-day stakeholders forum on a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Agency Law, 2019.

PDP Chairman in Lagos State, Adedeji Doherty, said the party was in support of the Amotekun Bill but urged the state to employ only qualified people for the corps.

Doherty, represented by Mr Sunday Olaifa, advised the state government not to employ Amotekun personnel on party, religion or ethnic basis.

Also, Chairman, Agbekoyas in Lagos State, Mr Oladipo Davis, said that the group had the ability to fight crimes without using arms or weapons.

“Let us employ those who know the job. We should not use just anybody. Agbekoyas have the power to cope and fight criminals,” he said.

The General Secretary, Coalition of Oodua Group, Mr Rasak Olokooba, said the lawmakers should define the roles of state and federal government on Amotekun.

Contributing, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo of Trade Union Congress (TUC) said there could not be economic growth without putting in place adequate security by the government.

Ekundayo noted that the Amotekun Corps would need technology such as data gathering and records of the people in the communities.

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The representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also said that the Church was in support of Amotekun Bill and assured that the Body of Christ would pray for the success of the corps.

Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, who spoke for the Seriki Hausawa of Alimosho, suggested that people should be careful about provocative statements.

Also, a security consultant, Mr Dickson Osagie, urged the government to emphasise proper training of Amotekun personnel.

Osagie added that insufficient parenting had been contributing to the high rate of insecurity in the state.

In his contribution, another security expert, Mr Gboyega Alowonle, said that the state assembly should look into the recruitment of personnel and training of the Amotekun corps.

Alowonle said: “Let us ensure that the personnel go through due diligence, and Community Policing is also important.”

Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security, Mr Tunde Braimoh, said Section 14 (B) of the 1999 Constitution identified security as the number one job of the government.

He explained that the public hearing was meant to stimulate discussions on the law.

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