By Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation/ Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

Non- military or police members of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) otherwise known as Operation Amotekun will bear no arms, contrary to fears in some quarters,The Nation can now confirm.

The Southwest governors are already in the process of sending a delegation to Police Inspector General Mohammed Adamu on discussing the scope of the security outfit.

Expected to lead the delegation is Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

The police and other security agencies shunned the launch of Operation Amotekun in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The boycott stemmed from fears that Amotekun might turn out to be a parallel security agency.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday hailed the creation of the outfit as a welcome development.

The proposed meeting with the IGP is expected to focus on confidence building and the operational procedures of the outfit.

It was gathered that the South-West governors, who are determined to make a success of the security apparatchik, have decided to bridge the communication gap and allay fears in some quarters about the outfit by sending an emissary to the IGP

It was learnt that after Akeredolu’s session with the IGP, all the governors will further have an audience with Adamu in the Southwest.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The fact is that we don’t know why the police boycotted the launch but they were invited. Before the security outfit was unveiled, Governor Kayode Fayemi came to Abuja to represent the governors at a meeting with the IGP.

“By all intents and purposes, Operation Amotekun is not different from the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North-East. We have made the police to realize the purpose of the initiative from the onset.

“The governors are however still open to more talks with the police hierarchy. They have mandated their leader, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to meet with the IGP on the mode of recruitment, command role and operational procedures of Operation Amotekun with the police.

“Besides confidence building, the governors want a synergy between the police and Operation Amotekun. And the inauguration of the outfit came at a time the IGP was passionate about Community Police.

“So, there is a meeting point between the IGP and the South-West governors. It is left to the two parties to fine-tune the procedures and collaborate.

“After Akeredolu’s shuttle to Abuja, the South-West governors will also invite the IGP to the zone to meet with the people and assess the structure in place.”

Responding to a question, the highly-placed source who is a key strategist behind Operation Amotekun, added:

“The governors are not creating a State Police. Section 49 of the Nigeria Police Act has provided a window for the emergence of Operation Amotekun. The same provision is amplified by Sections 50 and 51.

“Section 49 deals with Special Constabulary in an emergency situation like this. The truth is that this Operation Amotekun was designed and conceived to complement the Nigeria Police.

Section 49 of the Police Act (The Nigeria Special Constabulary), says: “(1) There shall continue to be a Nigeria Special Constabulary (in this Act called “the special constabulary”).

“(2) The special constabulary shall be, and be deemed always to have been, part of the Nigeria Police Force, and accordingly references in this Act to the police force established under this Act shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, include, and be deemed always to have included, references to the special constabulary.
“(3) The special constabulary shall consist of- (a) special constables appointed in normal circumstances under section 50 of this Act; and

“(b) such emergency special constables as may be appointed from time to time under section 4 of this Act. (4) In so far as any enactment (whether passed or made before or after the commencement of this Act) requires police officers to perform military duties or confers power (whether expressly or in general terms) to require police officers to perform such duties, that enactment shall not, in the absence of express provision to the contrary, extend to members of the special constabulary.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also one of the governors behind Operation Amotekun, has said that Operation Amotekun is a complement and not an alternative to the Nigeria Police.

Consequently,its personnel will not bear arms.

“From the way our people have embraced it, the popularity is beyond our belief,” he told The Nation.

“So, Operation Amotekun is largely an intelligence outfit, they will not bear arms. Those we are engaging have knowledge of the local terrain, the culture and the language of our people which can assist the police and other security agencies.”

IPOB hails Southwest governors for establishing Operation Amotekun

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday threw its weight behind the Southwest on the decision to set up the WNSN .

It said the coming of the security outfit was inevitable in view if the challenges across the country.

The group,in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful commended the Southwest governors, elders, stakeholders and politicians for “their doggedness and courage to protect their people and their region.”

It added: “The Yoruba decision and effort to launch Operation Amotekun security outfit just like our leader launched BSS in 2017 is most commendable.

“IPOB wholeheartedly welcome Amotekun and say good morning to those who out of ignorance, poor sense of vision, lack of reasoning and self-consuming jealousy fought against the formation BSS. They should cover their faces in shame if they have any face left after this.”

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/operation-amotekun-militiamen-wont-bear-arms/

Front page: Lalasticlala mynd44

This is simple.

No one will stop the establishment of the new vigilante group. But once they exceed the limit of the constitution (like start to bear arms), the federal government will respond.

If they go this route working under the police as constables they're safe. It's a bad idea to be unarmed if you're chasing armed criminals.

FriendNG:
But once they exceed the limit of the constitution (like start to bear arms), the federal government will respond.

Bearing arms isnt illegal. They just need to be licensed. If they want more powerful weapons Buhari himself has to approve according 1990 firearms act.

FriendNG:
This is simple.

No one will stop the establishment of the new vigilante group. But once they exceed the limit of the constitution (like start to bear arms), the federal government will respond.

They can bear non sophisticated weapons to protect themselves against hardened criminals.

They are going to be facing criminals that won't be smiling either.

Blue3k2:
If they go this route working under the police as constables they're safe. It's a bad idea to be unarmed if you're chasing armed criminals.



Bearing arms isnt illegal. They just need to be licensed. If they want more powerful weapons Buhari himself has to approve according 1990 firearms act.

. @ emboldened

This has always been their route. it is the north that are unnecessarily scared

Iamgrey5:
. @ emboldened

This has always been their route. it is the north that are unnecessarily scared

It's a matter better arguement than what about hisbah or vigilantes. It's easy to just say they're all illegal. If they're legitimacy comes from.the federal government then it's ok. The issue is the government hasn't approved them yet if they did the police wouldn't have boycotted they're unveiling.

Following

This amotekun is causing shivers in the north

CotenantNIG:
This amotekun is causing shivers in the north

Very big shivers. And its bringing our the beauty of Nnamdi Kanu's struggle. Very soon Yorubas will understand Nnamdi Kanu better.

Operation Amotekun, has said that Operation Amotekun is a complement and not an alternative to the Nigeria Police.

“So, Operation Amotekun is largely an intelligence outfit, they will not bear arms. 

One day we'll get passed all these half measures and just amend the constitution. Any tier of government should be allowed to form its own police force and maintain it own prisons. The constable law seems to limit their powers according to section 4.

In all these Amotekun issues... the Nigerian police force should be ashamed of itself, that in a country with a so called "Police force", multiple security agencies are being sprung up because they have failed woefully.

These are the consequences of abusing power and nepotism in Govt agencies.

.

We from the south east support operation leopard... An indication that it will succeed unless d South West govs betrays their people

this one the nation newspapers is reporting that ipob gave its support to d security outfit.... Hhmm

Are they expecting the Amotekun officers to carry sticks in combating crimes?

Why do some people play Politicis with everything?

helinues:
Are they expecting the Amotekun officers to carry sticks in combating crimes?

Why do some people play Politicis with everything?

Oh well expectations vs reality.

The politicians lives are protected by armed men around the clock so they can play politics. If they want them to carry arms they should just apply for licenses. Civilian Joint Task Force have guns.

Blue3k2:


Oh well expectations vs reality.

The politicians lives are protected by armed men around the clock so they can play politics. If they want them to carry arms they should just apply for licenses. Civilian Joint Task Force have guns.

The Amotekun palava seems like power play to some set of people especially within SW