Dr Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State has signed Amotekun, the Ekiti State Security Network Agency Bill, into law on Monday, March 16, 2020.
The Herald gathered that the signing of the bill was followed by a stict warning to criminals by the governor who said that “Amotekun Corps will get you wherever you hide”.
“Since the advent of democracy in 1999, this is the first time when Yoruba people will speak with one voice without political or religious considerations”, he said.
Fayemi further spoke concerning the event that led up to the formation of Amotekun.
He said;
“As a responsible and responsive government, it is our belief that security is significant and we won’t toy with security of lives and property.
“The current challenges of proliferation of small arms, rutial killings, banditry, youth restiveness , cattle rustling , insurgency and terrorism are daunting .
“In tackling some of these menaces, which surfaced in the southwest region, the governors in the zone officially launched Western Nigeria Security Network in Ibadan on Jan 20, 2020 at and the bill that will form the legal framework was passed by the State House of Assembly.
“Let me clarify that Amotekun will help the police to arrest, gather intelligence and information , arrest and prosecution of criminals , tackle illegal mining, land trespass, cattle rustling, destruction of crops, trespass into farmlands, cultism, highway robbery, among others.
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“Amotekun is not a substitute to the existing security networks , but a complement to it. It is not for Ekiti people alone, but for everbody. As long as you are resident in Ekiti, you enjoy the right to be protected , so it is not for the indigenes alone.
“Crime fighting is a collective responsibility. Those perpetrating crimes are living among us and let us be vigilant and help the Amotekun Corps fish out criminals in our midst”, he said.
“The issues of recruitment, training and deployment will be carefully considered. All the operatives will work in areas where they understand better”.
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