The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), have given their nod to Amotekun.
Amotekun is the Southwest regional security operation adopted by Governors of all states in the Southwest.
At a closed-door meeting that lasted for hours, the IGP and representatives of each state agreed with the framework of Amotekun.
As part of the agreement, Amotekun will not run as a regional security operation, but a state-led effort.
Thus, the community policing model proposed by the IGP would complement Operation Amotekun and conventional police operations in all local communities.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the security gathering was part of extensive meetings with the police leadership on adopting new strategies and initiatives towards securing the lives and property of people in the Southwest.
Akeredolu said the meeting was of “great importance” to the people of Southwest, confirming that the Forum had a fruitful discussion with the IGP.
Speaking on the outcome, Akeredolu said: “The Governors of Southwest and the IGP have held a very fruitful discussion and it is clear now to all of us that, community policing, which the Nigeria Police is anchoring is one that will benefit all of us. We have chosen that we will embrace the community in its entirety.
“In addition, we have spoken and we want everyone to know that Amotekun was not conceived as regional police, but a state-based security outfit. We have come out of this meeting happy and we have agreed on the resolution. We have shed lights on dark areas and we are on the same page with the police with respect to these issues.”
Adamu substantiated Akeredolu’s claim, saying the participants at the meeting had fine-tuned Operation Amotekun and adopted it to be state-led initiative and not regional.
He said: “This is the second meeting we have held with the Governors of the Southwest region concerning the creation of Operation Amotekun. The just-concluded meeting was to discuss and fine-tune Amotekun. Out conclusion is what the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum has explained.
“Amotekun is not a regional security outfit. Every state has one form of security arrangement, whether it is vigilante or neighbourhood watch that are working security agencies in the states to fight crime. Amotekun is not different from these initiatives. We have agreed that community policing strategy be infused into the Amotekun structure so that policing will be the initiative of the community members.”
According to Adamu, the police would be part of the recruitment, training, and deployment of personnel to be assigned for Amotekun operations, adding that the initiative would work in complementary with the community policing model.
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