IBADAN, OYO STATE – In an exclusive interview with Naija TODAY News Publisher, Prince Adetunji Fabode, Colonel Olayinka Olayanju, Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, revealed the secrets behind the state’s improved security. Since its inception in May 2020, Amotekun has been making waves in the security landscape of Oyo State, and Colonel Olayanju attributes its success to the support of Governor Seyi Makinde.
According to Colonel Olayanju, when he was appointed as the Commandant of Amotekun, the agency started from scratch, with only the law that established it in place. However, with the support of Governor Makinde, Amotekun has been able to surmount numerous challenges and achieve significant successes. “We’ve had a lot of challenges, but with the support of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, we’ve been able to surmount them bit by bit,” Colonel Olayanju said.
One of the major challenges facing Amotekun, according to Colonel Olayanju, is the kind of weaponry at its disposal. “Our weapon is far lower than expected, considering the kind of challenges and criminals we confront,” he lamented. However, despite this limitation, Amotekun has been able to record numerous successes, including the apprehension of ritual killers and the neutralization of bag snatchers’ syndicates.
Colonel Olayanju attributed the success of Amotekun to the support of Governor Makinde, who has provided about 80-85% of what is required to take the agency to where it is today. “He’s provided everything needed to take Amotekun to what it is today,” Colonel Olayanju said. The governor’s commitment to making Amotekun a legacy has been evident in the resources he has made available to the agency.
Amotekun has also been working with other security agencies to address various security challenges in the state. According to Colonel Olayanju, the agency has been collaborating with the police, DSS, and other security agencies to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of criminality. “We’ve worked with other security agencies to address various security challenges,” he said.
In addition to its collaboration with other security agencies, Amotekun has also been engaging in community policing, which has been key to its success. The agency has been working closely with the community to identify and address security challenges, and this approach has yielded significant results. “The people have taken ownership, providing office accommodations and supporting us in various ways,” Colonel Olayanju said.
Amotekun has also been facing challenges in terms of prosecuting cases in court. According to Colonel Olayanju, the agency does not have the power to prosecute its cases in court, and this has been a major challenge. “We don’t have the power to prosecute our cases in court. We have to find a way around that by going to the Ministry of Justice or the DPP office,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Amotekun has been able to record numerous successes, including the rescue of kidnapping victims and the neutralization of kidnappers. According to Colonel Olayanju, the agency has been working tirelessly to ensure that Oyo State remains a safe haven for all its citizens. “We’ve rescued so many victims, and we’ve neutralized some of the kidnappers too,” he said.
Colonel Olayanju also revealed that Amotekun has a system in place to monitor the activities of its operatives and ensure accountability. Any member found to be misbehaving would face disciplinary action, including dismissal. “We have a system in place to monitor their activities. Any member found to be misbehaving would face disciplinary action, including dismissal,” he said.
In fact, Colonel Olayanju revealed that he has already dismissed over 200 operatives and has more than six operatives in prison for various offenses. “As I’m talking to you, I have more than six operatives in prison, and I’ve dismissed over 200,” he said. This, according to him, is a testament to the agency’s commitment to accountability and discipline.
The Commandant also revealed that Amotekun has been providing support to other security agencies in the state, including the police and DSS. According to him, the agency has been working closely with these agencies to tackle security challenges and ensure that the state remains safe. “We’ve been working closely with other security agencies to tackle security challenges,” he said.
When asked if other states or the federal government should emulate the Amotekun model, Colonel Olayanju said yes. According to him, the community policing aspect of Amotekun is key to its success, and other states can learn from this approach. “The community policing aspect of Amotekun is key to its success. Other states can learn from this approach,” he said.
In terms of resources, Colonel Olayanju revealed that Amotekun needs an upgrade to its weaponry and the power to prosecute its cases in court. “If we had these, our service delivery would improve significantly,” he said.
The Commandant also expressed gratitude to the people of Oyo State for their support and cooperation. According to him, the agency’s success would not have been possible without the support of the people. “We appreciate the people of Oyo State for their support and cooperation,” he said.
When asked what message he has for the people of Oyo State, Colonel Olayanju said that Amotekun is committed to keeping the state safe. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Oyo State remains a safe haven for all its citizens,” he said.
Colonel Olayanju also urged the people of Oyo State to continue providing vital information about hoodlums and Amotekun operatives. According to him, this information is crucial to the agency’s success. “We need the people’s support to identify and address security challenges,” he said.
In conclusion, Colonel Olayanju’s leadership of Amotekun has brought about a new era of security in Oyo State. With its community policing approach and collaboration with other security agencies, Amotekun has been able to record numerous successes and make the state a safer place for its citizens.
The success of Amotekun is a testament to the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde to the security of Oyo State. The agency’s achievements are a demonstration of what can be achieved when government and people work together to address security challenges.
As Oyo State continues to enjoy relative peace and security, the people are optimistic about the future. With Amotekun at the forefront of security, the state is poised to become an even safer and more prosperous place for its citizens.
The people of Oyo State have reason to be grateful to Governor Makinde for his commitment to their security. The success of Amotekun is a direct result of his leadership and vision for the state.
In the end, the success of Amotekun is a reminder that security is a collective responsibility. The agency’s achievements are a testament to what can be achieved when government, security agencies, and the people work together to address security challenges.
With Amotekun leading the way, Oyo State is set to become an even safer and more prosperous place for its citizens. The future looks bright for the state, and its people are optimistic about what the future holds.
