The leader, who was at the Ekiti state assembly for a public hearing, drew much attention as he was dressed in a “local charms” which he says is an indication that they are battle-ready to protect the people from all kinds of attack.
The leader of the outfit was invited by the lawmakers to the public hearing in other to brief them on the initiative which has drawn much attention. It will be remembered that the Attorney General of Nigeria, Mohamed Malami declared the security outfit illegal, his pronouncement drawing wide condemnation and support from various quarters. Governor Rotimi Akerodolu of Ondo state who doubled as the Chairman of South West governors forum backed the initiative saying he is not bordered if it will cost him his second tenure. A Muslim group, Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria described Outfit tagged “Operation Amotekun” as a subtle effort to Christianise the region.
A constitutional lawyer and activist Femi Falan (SAN) condemned the Attorney General’s stand. In a statement Mr Falana said: “Mr Malami’s purported proscription of Amotekun is hypocritical and discriminatory on the grounds that the Civilian JTF operating in Yobe and Borno states is constituted by 26,000 well-armed volunteers who have been assisting the armed forces to combat terrorism in the north east region.”
Currently Amotekun is been given due recognition by the South-West zone, with the six states that make up the zone given it a legal backing through the respective state laws. The governors of the six states of the South-west on Thursday February 14 announced that the Amotekun security initiative will no longer be regional but state-based. The announcement was made after the governors met with the Inspector-General Police, Mohammed Adamu, at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. The reason for the decision to revert Amotekun to state based security outfit instead of regional based is not uet known but we can tell you that plan have been advanced in achieving the latest stance Ekiti.
The Operation Amotekun bill scaled second reading in the Houses of Assembly in Ondo and Oyo states. The draft bill was also ratified in Osogbo by the Osun State Executive Council just as the Ogun State House Assembly has equally confirmed receipt of the draft bill from the executive.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK