Oyo state assembly worries over delay in take off of amotekun corps

Segun Showunmi in Ibadan

The Oyo State House of Assembly has expressed worry over delayed in the take off of Amotekun Corps, calling on the Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to urgently see to the takeoff of the state security agency network.

Penpushing reports that the Assembly led by the Speaker,Hon Adebo Ogundoyin  said the takeoff became expedient owing to intermittent incidences of herdsmen invading farmlands and clashing with farmers and residents across the state.

The lawmakers emphasized  that the sooner Amotekun corps was constituted, the better for the state in terms of security, but did not deny recognition of  recent nomination of General Kunle Togun as chairman as well as  Cololonel Olayanju Olayinka(rtd) as commandant.

Penpushing further reports that, the assemblymen wondered what could be hindering the formation of the Amotekun board that will subsequently recruit personnel, and the discuss followed a motion by a member representing Oyo East/Oyo West, Hon Isiaka Kazeem  drawing the attention of the Assembly to the recent invasion of villages in Akinyele local government area by herdsmen resulting in killing of some persons.

The lawmaker while noting that the police and other security agencies were overstretched in terms of personnel, he stressed that residents of the state yearned for Amotekun to kick start operations.

Penpushing also  reports that the majority leader, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin wondered what slowed the full takeoff of Amotekun in the state, and  pointed to instances of herdsmen related killings and violence in Oriire local government area, noting that Amotekun will complement the existing security agencies in reaching remote parts of the state.

The Deputy Speaker Hon Abiodun Fadeyi noted  that Amotekun in Osun and Ekiti states had become operational, and called for investigation into what could he hindering its takeoff months after the state Assembly passed the Amotekun bill into law.

Penpushing further reports that according to Minority Leader, Honourable Asimiyu Alarape, it was high time the executive arm put into effect the Amotekun Agency law and anti-grazing law to give farmers some security against invasion of their farmlands by herdsmen.

The Chief Whip, Hon Akeem Adedibu in his remarks admonished people to also be security conscious and notify security agencies of the entry of strange persons into their communities.