22nd March, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye
The Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Government to reposition the State Security Network Agency-Amotekun Corps for effectiveness in securing lives and properties of residents of the state.
The state lawmakers said the State Government should appoint a new state commander, not below the rank of a Major or its equivalent in other security agencies to oversee the activities of the agency following the death of its former commander. They also said there was the need to recruit more capable and competent personnel to strengthen the Corps’ operations.
This, the Assembly noted would help tackle the incessant security breaches especially kidnappings and armed robberies being experienced in some parts of the State.
Opening debate on the motion leading to the passage of the Resolution during the plenary presided over by the Speaker Oludaisi Elemide, the sponsor of the resolution, Babatunde Tella, had reported the ineffectiveness of the Amotekun Corps following the demise of the State Commander, CP David Akinremi.
He said that there had been reports that the operation of the agency was being hampered by insufficient fund; stressing that the Corps was in dire need of more personnel, who should be localised in the communities; ammunitions and vehicles to enable them meet up with the responsibilities of providing adequate security in the State.
Other members who contributed to the debate including Olusegun Kaka, Adebisi Oyedele Lukman Adeleye, Adegoke Adeyanju and Fola Salami, recounted incidence of insecurity, especially kidnappings in their respective constituencies, which needed to be addressed headlong.
The resolution also sought for the need to equip the Amotekun Corps with modern ammunitions, up-to-date communication gadgets and other security apparatus as well as the procurement of additional vehicles to aid the operations and other activities of the Corps.
The debate later led to the motion for the resolution moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by the Minority Leader, Adeleye Lukman and supported by the whole House through a unanimous voice vote.