Crime Rate Grows as Amotekun Battles Funding, logistics,Others

 

South-West Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, is battling with problems of funding and equipment in Ondo and Ekiti states, where it has commenced activities.

But 10 months after it was inaugurated by the South-West governors in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, it has yet to begin operations in Ogun, Lagos, Osun and Oyo states.

However, there has been an increase in kidnapping, assassinations and other crimes in the zones.

Investigations on Monday by our correspondents revealed that while governments of Ogun, Lagos and Osun states had not inaugurated the security outfits despite security challenges, it had not begun activities in Oyo State, where it had been inaugurated.

However, the Commandant of the initiative in Ondo State,  Mr Adetunji Adeleye, in an interview section saying Amotekun had been  operating successfully in the state in synergy with other security agencies.

He, however, said the agency was facing with the challenge of funding, training and equipment for its personnel.

Adeleye noted that the state government had ensured prompt payment of salaries and allowances of the personnel of the agency.

He said, “We are having good relationship with the police and the Department of State Services. Last Thursday, we arrested 32 suspects in connection with armed robbery and kidnapping and we handed them over to the police.

“The funding is not coming as expected in the area of operation, training and equipment but we are still doing our jobs effectively.”

In Ekiti State, the Corps Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd.), said issue of weapons remained a big challenge to the security outfit.

He  said,  “Like the Chairman of South-West Governors Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said, we will keep on lobbying the Federal Government to know that Amotekun is not a counter-force, so, one of these days, the issue of weapon will be resolved.

“We are still using wisdom to actually curtail that challenge. It is a big challenge to us. But mere seeing you in uniform makes people to respect you. We don’t carry weapons; the law does not permit us to carry weapons.”

The commandant also identified lack of facilities to keep exhibits.

The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Osun State, Amitolu Shittu, told  PUNCH that the corps would begin operations in February.

Amitolu said, “We cannot begin operations until February next year because people that will go for training will spend at least 60 days in camp. After that, we will come out fully.

“The recruitment process that we initiated is still on. We only need time to sort out some issues.”

The corps had in June started the screening of 13,000 applicants.

On its part, the Ogun State Government said it would soon inaugurate Amotekun Corps.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications, Remmy Hazzan, told one of our correspondents that the delay in the take off of the corps was due to logistics issues.

Hazzan said, “Weill soon inaugurate the Amotekun, it remains just few logistics.”