Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has again lent his voice on the need for state police, with the upgrading of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.
“The challenge of insecurity in Nigeria is frightening and is getting all of us concerned,” Fayemi, who leads Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said on Tuesday.
“The creation of Amotekun can only be a precursor to this (state police). We need a security system that is localised, knowledgeable about the culture and security situation of a particular community.
“But we need to amend the constitution to empower the various security initiatives to be able to respond to the current challenges.
“For example, despite not possessing AK47 which the bandits possess, Amotekun operatives have been courageous to confront them in the forest and have successfully rescued victims of kidnapping and arrested the criminals in some instances.
“Yet, these people are at best, volunteer corps with encouragement stipend paid to them. They don’t earn as much as the conventional police, yet they are better motivated to throw themselves to the protection of the community where they have their wives, children and families.”
Fayemi made the comments at the 7th annual birthday lecture series of the former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and a two-term member of the House, Babatunde Oduyoye, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
Via Daily Independent
