Stakeholders across Lagos State and environs have pledged their support for the creation of Amotekun in the state. They spoke Monday during a stakeholders’ forum on a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Agency Law, 2019 aimed at establishing the Amotekun Corps on Monday at the pavilion of the State Assembly premises.
The representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) stated that the church is in support of Amotekun and that they would pray for the success of the corps, while commending the proponents of the concept.
Also supporting the project, a Security Consultant and Analyst, Dickson Osagie urged the government to emphasise proper training of the personnel of Amotekun, adding that insufficient parenting has been contributing to the high rate of insecurity in Lagos State.
In his comment, the chairman of the chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Sunday Olaifa, who spoke on behalf of the party’s chairman in the state, Adedeji Doherty said that the party is in support of Amotekun.
He, however, said that the party would want the state government not to employ personnel on party, religion or ethnic basis.
He said that qualified people should be employed and that there are enough charms in Yoruba land to ensure the success of Amotekun.
In his contributions, a security expert, Gboyega Alowonle said that the state assembly should look at the recruitment of personnel and training.
“Let us ensure that the personnel go through due diligence. You cannot rule out Nigerian Police in the area of security, and Community Policing is also important,” he said.
Also contributing, Lekan Otukoya advised that the government should give consideration to those who started neighbourhood watch in the state then.
Otukoya said that members of the neighbourhood watch were laid off in 2016 without compensations, but that they had been doing good jobs since 1996, when they started.
Babatunde Adetunji, in his view suggested that irrespective of the qualification of the personnel, they should be people who understand the terrain, and that there should be penalty for erring officers.
Ibrahim Abubakar, who spoke for the Seriki Hausawa of Alimosho suggested that people should be careful about provocative statements.
The Chairman of Agbekoyas in Lagos State, Davis Ogun said that they had the ability to fight crimes without using arms or weapons.
“Let us employ those who know the job rather than using enemies. We should not use just anybody. Agbekoyas have the power to cope and fight criminals,” he said.
Gbenga Ekundayo from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said that there could not be economic growth without security.
Ekundayo said that there was need for creativity to ensure security in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security, Tunde Braimoh said that Section 14 (B) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stated that security is the number one job of the government.
Braimoh stressed that citizens enjoy all the amenities provided by the government only if they have life.
“I welcome you all to the Lagos State House of Assembly, where we emphasise your interest. What is being done is an amendment of Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Law of 2016, Lagos State.
“The law came from the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa,” he said.
The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa stated that the meeting was called to talk about security.
According to him, “We can recall the killings, raping, armed robbery that have been happening all over the country.
“Our governors came together to form an outfit that could combat crimes, which was what brought about Amotekun. The constitution of the country talks about protection of lives and properties.
“We came up with LNSC law to support our police in crime control and prevention. All the states of the country have been copying this. The LNSC Law will be amended to accommodate Amotekun.
“Security in Lagos State is different from those of other states. Amotekun has come to stay in Lagos State,” he said.
