Amotekun: Gov Makinde presents operational vehicles, motorcycles for take-off

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has presented 33 operational vehicles and 396 motorcycles to the State Security Network and Amotekun Corps operatives.

The presentation ceremony held at the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, was attended by top government functionaries, the Board and Management of the Amotekun Corps, the Amotekun Corps members, lawmakers, among other stakeholders in the security sector.

During the presentation, Governor Makinde called on politicians across the country to be more bothered about restructuring the country in a manner that would guarantee the safety and security of the people than jostling for political positions.

Makinde stated, “What we need at this stage is to secure our people, to restructure Nigeria. It doesn’t matter who is the president in Abuja, if they restructure Nigeria, every corner of the country will feel the impact of government.”

The Governor, who said the effort is part of measures to beef up security in the State, noted that although the country has not allowed the operation of State Police, the establishment of Operation Amotekun is an effort at encouraging community policing.

He assured members of the Amotekun Corps that his administration would make their welfare top priority and do everything humanly possible to support the members of the Amotekun Corps because “theirs is a generation that is working at establishing a structure for safety and security of the next generation” the Governor said.

The Board Chairman, Oyo State Security Network and Amotekun Corps, Mr Kunle Togun, a retired Colonel, in his welcome address, commended the Governor for his support and concern towards securing the lives of the people in the state.

He expressed his readiness to make Amotekun Corps accountable and responsible to the people by ensuring discipline and diligence in their operation, while calling on indigenes and residents of Oyo State to give necessary support and information that would enable the personnel of Amotekun perform their duty effectively and efficiently.

He noted that the 33 operational vehicles would be distributed across all Local Government areas, while the 396 motorcycles would be distributed across the 351 wards in the State, the Chairman appealed to well-meaning individuals in the State to lend their financial and material support to the security outfit, saying “security is not what government alone can shoulder”.

Campaign promise

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Alhaji Bayo Lawal, maintained that the establishment of the Oyo State Security Network and Amotekun Corps was in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s campaign promise to the people of the State to protect them and their property.

He further expressed gratitude to the State House of Assembly for the quick legislation attested to the security outfit.

Emmanuel Ukoh