Governor Seyi Makinde on Tuesday signed the bill establishing the Oyo State Security Network Agency, code-named Operation Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn, into law.
Operation Amotekun was launched on January,9 this year in Ibadan, Oyo State capital by the six South West governors.
The Oyo State House of Assembly on February, 24 held a public hearing and passed the bill on March 3.
Makinde while signing the law at the executive council chambers, Governor’s office warned kidnappers, bandits and other perpetrators of heinous crimes to steer clear of the South Western region.
According to him, criminally minded people should stay away from Oyo State and the entire South-West geo political zone, saying “Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn would get them if they refuse to leave.”
While calling on prospective investors not to entertain any fear as the government will not renege on its promise to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive said the state is now safe and secure for business.
“We will continue to create a safe and secure environment at the state and local government levels so that our people can go about their lawful business” he added.
The governor who wore Àmọ̀tẹ́kùnattire with his deputy, as well as other executive members said the signing of the bill is historic adding “I signed the State Security Network Agency (Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn) Bill, 2020 into law. It’s been a long and torturous journey that started as far back as July 2019. Today, history has been made as Oyo State joins other southwest states to have the Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn law in force.
He re-emphasised that the Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn Corps is not a replacement for the traditional security agencies.
“It is to complement the efforts of the Federal security agencies who are stretched to the limit as a result of pockets of insecurity all over Nigeria”.
He thanked the traditional security agencies for the work they are doing despite budgetary, operational and personnel deficits stressing that the Àmọ̀tẹ́kùn Corps would meet some of these gaps which will help secure Oyo State better.
Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Debo Ogundoyin led other lawmakers to present the bill to the governor for his assent.
Also at the signing were the Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyewole Oyewo, a professor, Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun.
