In the recent time, the trending issue in the Country especially the Southwestern part is the regional security network launch...
In the recent time, the trending issue in the Country especially the Southwestern part is the regional security network launched by the Southwest governors christened "Operation Amotekun'. Our Correspondent SUNDAY OGUNTUYI speaks with the Osun state Commandant of Vigilante Group of Nigeria on the new security network in the region.
Excerpt;
Question: Can we meet you sir?
My name is Commander Bello Wasiu Aderemi. I'm the state Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Osun State Command.
Question: Recently the Southwest governors launched a security network in the region called "Operation Amotekun' what is your take on this?
I thanked the 6 South west governors for setting up Operation Amotekun. The operation kicked off last year June which I was also part of. We thank our traditional rulers for their support because without them, the joint operation couldn't have happened. The two eminent traditional rulers, His imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife Oba Eniitan Ogunwusi and His Royal Majesty Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi were those who went to seek the approval of the Federal Government before the commemcement of the security network and the President gave them the approval. Operation Amotekun' was a good initiative, it's not meant to molest the federal government nor to serve as a means of breaking the unity of our dear Country but it serves as a unifying factor to curb the insecurity menace in the Southwestern region. Each region has its own means of tackling insecurity, this is our own and I see it as a welcome development.
Question; As the coordinator of Vigilante Group in Osun State, how prepared are you and your members for the successful operation of this security outfit?
Our first step is enlightening our members. We have started the enlightenment programme organized and approved by the Nigerian Police Force on how to tackle banditry, inform the police about criminals and how to arrest these criminals without hurting them in a lawful manner. Also, we have another enlightenment programme slated for February this year which was organized by the police. We really appreciate the Police Force for the enlightenment programme. We also engage in regular meetings on the ways to have a successful outing.
We have a Diploma school here in Osun State where we learn about security and we urge our members to further their studies up to the University level so they can work lawfully in the modern way . We are hopeful that some of our member will be sponsored abroad to learn more about security. We also empower our members with metaphysical powers of our forefathers and we'll conquer the criminal tendencies in our region.
Asides, we are mentally and physically ready to work with other security personnel in ensuring crime free society in our dear state, Osun and all our neighboring states.
Question; What are your needs from the government in order to boost the working condition of your association?
First and foremost, the team of security personnel chosen by the government to work for Amotekun are small in number for the enormous tasks ahead of us. We want the government to add to the number of the security personnel and and also educate us more aside from the one organised by the Police Force. Further more, the 20 vehicles and equipments bought by each state government are very small for instance every local government in the state should have their vehicle, the zonal should its own and the headquarters should have its own too.
We also need motorcycles and bicycles because there are time we may want to go into the bush which is not accessible for vehicles, we will be able to make use of the bicycles and nab criminals. We need a lot of equipments for instance we need wireless communication gadgets such as a walkie talkie which we can use to communicate with our members devoid of network failure. We also need modern equipments like Drone and CCTV camera to monitor thick forests and long distance so that we can work productively.
Question; What is your relationship with other security outfit under Operation Amotekun?
There is a cordial relationship between us and other security personnels such as the Nigerian Army, Nigérian Navy, Air Forces, Nigérian Police, Nigerian Civil Defence and DSS. We also have cordial relationship with NAFDAC and NDLEA etc because these outfits contributed to our association.
Question: What can you say about the unfounded circulation that the South West Security Network is a way of dividing the country?
The people behind such divisive notion only say that based on their own reasoning. Our governors did a wonderful job because the governor of each state remains the chief security of the state and they are not really close to the police force so they can't control they to do their will.
We've also been taught not attach sentiment or politics to our job but rather do it with the trainings we received. This project is commendable because the best security outfit is the one set up by individuals. Vigilante are security personnels which each state government require to secure their domains. We are the one closer to the people, we can speak and community with the citizens in their native language. For instance, it is with the support of our members in the North and that of the Army which made them combat Boko Haram. Vigilantes are rooted and they are those who help soldiers in fishing out Boko Haram members from their hideouts. As we speak now, our member are in the Sambisa forest helping soldiers out this into tell you that we have a cordial relationship. This joint operation is not set up to divide us but to security measures down to the root. We can see that each local government has its vigilante group who are known and trusted by the local government chairman. It's is not meant for politicking but for security.
Question; Your group has been agitating for community policing, how far have you gone about it?
Amotekun is borne out of the people's wish for community policing which the federal government is ready to pass into law now.
Deburting of Operation Amotekun has put the federal government on their toes in assenting to our bill at the National Assembly now.
We implore the federal government to quickly do the needful so that we can start work as soon as possible, we are tired of the wanton killing in Yoruba land and we want to put a stop to it.
Question; What is your advice for the Nigerians regarding security?
I want to advise all Nigérian to join Operation Amotekun. The reason being that every one of us should be responsible for each other's safety and we should all be security conscious by making sure that they inform the appropriate quarters anytime they sense any form of criminality in their environment. Let's all join hands together and work to safeguard our country because the issue of security breach is our major challenge as a nation and which also tarnishing our image in the international community. We implore the government as well to reinburse us with modern equipment to combat insecurity.
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