It is no longer news that internal security has always been a difficult task for the Nigerian government due to incessant terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnappings and rituals, thus spreading fear among Nigerian citizens.
Nelson Mandela once said: “Security does not happen by chance, it is the result of collective consensus and public investment.” We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free from violence and fear.
In response to growing insecurity challenges, the governors of the southwestern states of Nigeria have launched a security initiative dubbed “Operation Amotekun” to alleviate looming insecurity challenges in the southwest region. This represents a significant development in the political structure of the Southwest region of Nigeria because although these governors belonged to different political parties, they still achieved a consensus that gave birth to the Amotekun initiative.
I find the disrespectful comment by the Attorney General of the Federation in the person of Justice Abubakar Malami rather short-sighted and hypocritical. Short-sightedness in the sense that the Nigerian Police, the sole reserve of the federal government, has around 371,800 officers in a nation-state of over 200 million people. Given these statistics, I don’t think the federal government is on the right track to ending insecurity. permanent. It is hypocritical to see sister initiative of “Amotekuna”, the HISBAH POLICE in the North and the JOINT CIVILISANS TASK FORCE in the South-South regions of the country leaving without much fanfare.
Taking into account the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, for which the Attorney General of the Federation seems to be of such importance, Article 14, paragraph b) states that “THE SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF THE POPULATION shall be the primary objective of the GOVERNMENT” . “Government” within the meaning of Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria means the Government of the Federation, ANY STATE, a local government council or any person exercising power on their behalf.
Governors, as the first citizens of their state and senior officials, have the right to apply security measures as security chiefs within the framework of the law to ensure the maintenance of public order. This view was demonstrated in the case of ATTORNEY GENERAL ANAMBRA STAN v. confirmed. Attorney General of the Federation where the Supreme Court observed that “the provision contained in Article 215, Section 4 expressly empowers the Governor of Anambra State to issue lawful orders to the Commissioner of Police
of Anambra State in relation to ensuring public safety and maintaining of law and order in the state. Article 24, paragraph 1 (e) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution also provides that it is the duty of every citizen to assist lawful and competent authorities in the maintenance of law and order.
As a paramilitary force, the Amotekun initiative is not intended to replace the police but to complement their legal duty to ensure public safety and maintain law and order. And as for the possibility of Amotekun personnel being allowed to carry firearms since it is a paramilitary organization whose purpose is to ensure public safety and not to use physical force or coercion to advance political interests or objectives, I am of the opinion that he did not cross any boundaries. Flag line specified in the article. Article 227 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution therefore allows Amotekun employees to be equipped with firearms.
However, when it comes to the question of whether Amotekun personnel are misusing the firearms or whether they are being used for political purposes or interests against other regions, the question is not whether this initiative is a responsive and sustainable measure Combating insecurity in the Southwest region of the US is country, country, so I don’t see a progressive Nigeria. The Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, SSS and SARS also misuse weapons.
This is a call for real federalism!
This is a motion for constitutional revision!!
This is a call for a united and peaceful Nigeria!!!
It is said that necessity is the mother of invention.
AMOTEKUN WILL STAY HERE.