Upgrade Amotekun to Full Fledged State Police, FG Urged

The Ondo Citizens for Good Governance (OCGG) has urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to upgrade the Amotekun security outfit to a full-fledged state police force.

According to the group, this move would significantly enhance security in the South-West region.

Amotekun was established in January 2020 to tackle growing insecurity, including kidnappings and banditry.

The OCGG coordinator, Mr. Olawumi Adegbola, stated that the current security arrangement has proven inadequate in addressing these challenges.

He emphasized that state police forces, like Amotekun, would be better equipped to handle local security issues due to their familiarity with the terrain and communities.

The group also expressed opposition to the proposed forest guards, arguing that empowering Amotekun would be a more effective solution.

They believe that state police forces can foster closer ties between communities and security agencies, promoting trust and cooperation.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has expressed support for state policing, citing Amotekun’s success in maintaining peace and security in the state. The Amotekun commander in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, has also stated that the state has all it takes for the full take-off of the proposed state police, awaiting approval from the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly.

The call for state police status is driven by the need for more efficient and effective security solutions. Proponents argue that local policing units possess superior knowledge of the geography, culture, and movement patterns within their territories, giving them a decisive edge in intelligence gathering and rapid deployment.