Worried by the spate of security challenges in Nigeria, the Emir of Gumi, in Zamfara State, Justice Lawal Hassan, has advice, that all the Geo-political Zones in Nigeria should adopt the Amotekun Initiative of Ondo State towards tackling insecurity in the country.
The monarch gave the charge last week at the just concluded 69th Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association, held at the MKO Abiola National stadium in Abuja.
It was against this conviction that the leadership of the NBA chose to build this year’s conference theme on, ‘Getting it Right: Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building.’ was well attended with about 17,000 members and non members.
The Emir, while speaking further, said; “I made reference to an issue of adopting traditional sciences in our approach to fighting banditry in our country.
“Specifically, I was recommending that each Emirate in the North should employ traditional way of tackling insecurity and that is what Ondo Amotekun is doing”, he said.
Speaking at the programme, Commander of the Ondo Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye who was one of the Speakers, made emphasis on how IGR had increased in Ondo state as residents farmers business owner, now have conducive environment to operate. Farmers
“The IGR in Ondo state increased by more than 300% within the last three years when Amotekun began full operation and this became successful because of the sustainable and the high level of synergy between the Corps and other mother security agencies in the state.
“In 2020, when the governors of the Western states came up with the they Amotekun initiative Western Nigeria Security Agencies which was further broken down in various states security agencies in the zone
The intension of the Chief executive was to curb insecurity in the entire south western zone in the country, the Amotekun bill was signed exterblishing Ondo stat security network in May 2020.
“I want to place it on record, within a short period of three years we have have been we have been able to reduce the cases of kidnapping to over 70%.
“Knowing the fact, that most criminals dwell among us, the involvement in our style of recruitment serve as guarantors to all our officers
“When we came on board we receive over 500 period our strategy was to educate bought farmers and headers on their right to transact their business with out infringing on each other.
They were also warned not to take laws into their hands but report infringement to the Amotekun Core using the leadership of the Miyeti Allah and the farmers council in the state to drive home the initiative to the grassroots.
“And I want to tell you today, that in Ondo State, farmers are going to their farms without fear while herders too feel secured while transacting their business.
” It would also interest you to know, that Amotekun Corps have arrested people who stole their herds and gave it back to the headers”, he explained.
Akogun Adetunji Adeleye who is also the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, explained, further, that the issues of confidence on the Corps is another major factor that assisted in achieving successes.
The Amotekun Commander further state that adopting this home grown grassroot intelligence driven security (Amotekun Core) will reduce insecurity in the country to the bearest minimum.
The Security expert hinted, that some parts of the North Central and North East have various security problems, some of them are violence agitation and in the South West, Kidnaping and rubbery the south South have resource control and agitation and the solution to all these according to the security expect is the grassroot security network devoid of large buricrasy of decision taking.
He further stated that security in other security agencies in the state account for massive reduction in criminals activities the high
Because of the passion of The Governor of Ondo state Arakunrin Odunayo Akeredolu (SON), (CON) for adiquate security for residence and his desire to ensure an investor friendly environment in Ondo state he provided two additional courtrooms to cope with the large turnout of suspects within the state.
“If this is replicated in other Geo-political zones, for instance, where there is banditry, let us have a home grown solution as an assistant to the military and the paramilitary to tame the challenges.
” We must collaborate with the present administration who in all indications, is determined to bring sanity into the security system in the country.
” I want to say that there cannot be a better time than now for the NBA to put together this forum to chart a coust for designing the security architecuture and now in support of the present administration to restore security of lives and property in Nigeria.” he submitted.
Also contributing, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun who was represented by AIG Frank Mba at the Conference, emphasised the dire need for comprehensive Police Reforms as a panacea for transforming the internal security narrative of the country.
The IGP expressed that the police force is spread too thin all across the country, recording an abysmal 1:600 Police-Citizen ratio, as compared to other countries.
Rear Admiral Onubebe who represented the Chief of Army Staff, while speaking on National Security-National Development Nexus, stated that the issues of Security transcends mere physical threats to life and property adding that it also include political, social and environmental aspects of National Security.
According to him, the focus is therefore to nurture a professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is people-centric, collaborative and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities within a changing environment.
He therefore opined that a more comprehensive approach to achieving adequate security is not just about building a strong military but also engaging in collaborative interaction with the diverse stakeholders within the architecture of the Nigerian State.
Dignitaries at the event include; His Royal Highness, Justice Lawan Hassan Gumi, The Emir of Gummi, Zamfara repressive of the national security Adviser, State, Chief of Defence Staff, represented by Real Admiral Onubebe, Commander Ondo State Security Network Agency and S.A. on Security Matters to Ondo State Governor, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye,
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Abubarka Kana, Minister of Budget and Planning, Abubarka Bagudu, representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General O.J Akpor among others.
