The six South West governors have said that the security outfit codenamed ‘Amotekun’ has come to stay contrary to belief in some quarters that it will fizzle out.
The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu stated this on behalf of other governors after a short closed meeting after launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun on Thursday, in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
According to Akeredolu, the security men have been trained and equipped saying if anyone of them are found wanton in their responsibility, he or she will be disengaged.
He said though it is a human endeavour that can suffer some lapses but by and large, we will endeavour nobody runs foul.
“This can never fizzle out so far all of us, the six governors come together to make it come to stay. Remember, this was how we started Road Safety outfit and today, it has become a federal entity. Same will happen to this.
“It has legal back up because it is contained in section 14 of the country’s constitution which says we have responsibility to protect lives and properties of our people in the zone and it is in pursuit of this that we embarked on this.
“The reported presidential summon in the media was false. This was why Gov. Fayemi met with Inspector General of Police on our behalf and he okayed this our decision. President Buhari has never summoned us, it was a rumour.
“The issue of ‘Amotekun’ is a collaborative effort because the security outfit will work with other security outfits to achieve success”, Akeredolu stated.
Earlier during the inauguration, Governor of Ekiti State and the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the introduction of Amotekun in the South-West is not to create regional police force.
He reiterated that the creation of Amotekun is not an agenda of any course but security and safety of our people in the South West States.
At the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye, urged the people of South-West to join hands and support the Amotekun which was introduced by the South-West governors.
Governor Kayode Femi, Seyi Makinde and Rotimi Akeredolu were present while the Osun Governor was represented by his deputy, Mr Benedict Alabi.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun were absent.
