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The establishment of “AMOTEKUN” by the Governors of the South-Western states in 2020 was to checkmate the rising wave of crime and criminalities in the geo-political zone.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, emphasized this on Thursday at the launch of the South-West Joint Security Outfit “Amotekun”, at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun emphasised the need for the security outfit, to synergize with existing security agencies to protect the lives and property of the people.
“As they say, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ I expect nothing less than a superlative performance of duties from our operatives. They must diligently add value to strengthen the security of lives and property in Ogun State.
“In doing this, the operatives of the Amotekun are also expected to carry out their duties within the ambit of the provisions of the law establishing the outfit.
“You are also subject to the law, not above the law. Let the rule of law be your watchword and ensure that you respect the rights of citizens and residents of the state. Let me be clear – your role is primarily to prevent crime.
“You are to do this through systematic intelligence gathering and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, especially the Security Network Agencies of other states, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NAPTIP, NDLEA, Customs, Immigration, DSS and others,” Abiodun added.
Warning newly recruited operatives of the State Security Network Agency codenamed “Amotekun” to work within the ambits of the law, the governor urged the people of the state to cooperate with the operatives of the new outfit in providing necessary information about any unscrupulous element or group that might want to undermine the peace of the state.
In his goodwill message the Special Marshal Amotekun, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka reiterated, “ Amotekun is not a replacement of the police, others. You must accept them and work with them. What people can contribute to this initiative is monitoring.
“We will be watching you very closely to make sure you did not trample on people’s rights. Don’t start to misbehave because of the uniform. If you misbehave in your uniform before Ogun (god of iron) strikes you, we would have dealt with you.”
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in his remarks, appreciated the state government for providing the funds and other logistics for the successful take-off of the security outfit.
The security outfit is to operate under the supervision of Retired Commissioner of Police, Mr David Bola Akinremi as commander.
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