Kehinde Ayanboade,
Ibadan.
All governors of all the South Western states in Nigeria excluding Lagos has on Thursday gathers to launch the Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Operation Amotekun in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The security Outfit with the motto “Zero Tolerance to Crime” will henceforth start work by securing the masses from attacks from terrorists, bandits, and other vices in Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Ogun State.
The Chief Host and Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde in his welcome address appreciated the corroborative effort put up by the governors of the six states towards realizing the security initiative.
Makinde reiterated the need of the outfit to ensure indigene and settlers sleep with their two eyes closed and go about their day to day activities in the state.
Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), and the Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in his goodwill message, noted that section 14 sub section 2 of the Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended) calls for the government to cater for the welfarism of its citizen.
Fayemi added that Operation Amotekun is a mechanism fashioned to complement the work of the mainstream agencies in addressing the menace in the western society.
Fayemi noted that the Amotekun is neither a duplication nor a replacement of the Nigerian police but a complimentary effort of the government to give confidence to the people.
Chairman of the Southwest Governors Forum, and Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu also giving his goodwill message, stated that the initiative is born to give pragmatic and proactive solution against raping, armed robbery, ritual killings, kidnapping and other vices in the western states.
Akeredolu further acknowledged the Federal Government and other security agencies in the state for their support.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, (ojaja II), appreciated the six governors claiming that they all shun political affiliation to create the historic outfit.
Ojaja the second, added that all the traditional rulers in the six states has reached a concensus to support the effort of the governors.
While granting interview to newsmen, The Chairman, Traditional Council of Ekiti state, and the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi maintained that Operation Amotekun is an intelligent driven initiative that is saddled with the responsibility to sniffs bandits, and other criminals out of their hideouts and protect lives and properties.
National Insight gathers that the six states have provided 20 vehicles each, except Oyo which has provided 33.
Over 100 motorbikes has been made available as well to Aide the security operatives move between places where vehicles could not reach.
