Five things you need to know about operation amotekun

Here are five things you need to know about Operation Amotekun:

  1. What is Operation Amotekun?: Operation Amotekun is a security outfit established by the Western Nigeria Governors' Forum (WNGF) to combat kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of criminality in the region. The name "Amotekun" is derived from the Yoruba language, meaning "settle at the top" or "settle the matter".

  2. Who is behind it?: Operation Amotekun was initiated by the six governors of the South-West region of Nigeria, comprising Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos states. The governors, who are all from the Yoruba ethnic group, decided to take matters into their own hands after feeling that the federal government was not doing enough to address the security challenges in the region.

  3. What is its mandate?: The mandate of Operation Amotekun is to provide security and protect the lives and properties of citizens in the South-West region. The outfit is authorized to patrol the highways, forests, and other areas where criminal activities are prevalent. It is also expected to collaborate with other security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

  4. Is it legal?: There has been controversy over the legality of Operation Amotekun. Critics argue that it is unconstitutional for a state or regional government to establish its own security outfit, as this is the exclusive preserve of the federal government. However, the governors of the South-West region have argued that their action is justified under the Nigerian Constitution, which allows for the establishment of state and local government security outfits.

  5. What are the implications?: The establishment of Operation Amotekun has significant implications for the security architecture of Nigeria. It has raised questions about the role of the federal government in providing security, and whether states and regions can take matters into their own hands. It has also sparked concerns about the potential for conflict between the federal government and the South-West governors, as well as the potential for other regions to establish their own security outfits.