The political drama surrounding the kick-off of the South-West Regional Security Operation code-named Operation Amotekun, seem to have been laid to rest, as six governors in the region and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, finally adopted the initiative.
This was decided during the South-West Security Meeting on Community Policing convened at the instance of the IGP, which was held at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos State Government in Alausa.
Community Bell gathered that at the end of the meeting, which lasted for about two hours behind closed doors, the IGP and representatives of the six states okayed the framework of South-West Regional Security Network, codenamed Operation Amotekun, but the initiative will not be run as a regional security operations, as initially suggested but will now be run as state-led effort. The meeting also ratified community policing model proposed by the IGP and the initiative would be complementing Operation Amotekun and conventional police operations in all local communities.
Speaking after the meeting, the South-West Governors’ Forum led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said the development would spring up fresh efforts to secure local communities.
Governor Akeredolu said the meeting was of great importance to the people of South-West, confirming that the South-West Governors Forum had a fruitful discussion with the IGP.
“The Governors of South-West and the IGP have held a very fruitful discussion and it is clear now to all of us that, community policing, which the Nigeria Police is anchoring is one that will benefit all of us. We have chosen that we will embrace community in its entirety.
“In addition, we have spoken and we want everyone to know that, Amotekun was not conceived as a regional police, but a state-based security outfit. We have come out of this meeting happy and we have agreed on the resolution. We have shed lights on dark areas and we are on the same page with the police with respect to these issues.”
Also speaking, the host and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the security gathering was part of extensive meetings with the police leadership on adopting new strategies and initiatives towards securing lives and property of people in the South-West.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also assured that Lagos Government will continue to champion initiatives and frameworks that continue to provide support and logistics required for effective policing in the region.
IGP Adamu also substantiated Akeredolu’s claim, saying the participants at the meeting had fine-tuned Operation Amotekun and adopted it to be state-led initiative and not regional.
“This is the second meeting we have held with the Governors of Southwest region concerning the creation of Operation Amotekun.
The just concluded meeting was to discuss and fine-tune Amotekun. Out conclusion is what the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum has explained.
“Amotekun is not a regional security outfit. Every state has one form of security arrangement, whether it is vigilante or neighbourhood watch that are working security agencies in the states to fight crime.
Amotekun is not different from these initiatives. We have agreed that community policing strategy be infused into the Amotekun structure, so that policing will be initiative of the community members.”
The IGP said the police would be part of the recruitment, training and deployment of personnel to be assigned for Amotekun operations, adding that the initiative would work in complementary with community policing model.
He also said that policing must start with the public, urging members of the public to unite and form an alliance against criminals in their communities.
The IGP praised Lagos Government for adopting a community-led policing arrangement, saying Lagos remained an example where a good structure of community policing had been effective.
