A socio-political advocacy group based in Ondo State, known as Ondo Citizens for Good Governance (OCGG), has renewed calls for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to approve the conversion of the South-Western Security Network, widely known as Amotekun, into a fully operational state police outfit. The group made this appeal through a public statement issued in Akure on Friday, stressing that the restructuring is not only necessary but urgent, in order to fortify security across the South-West region.
Amotekun, which was established in January 2020 by the six governors of the South-West under the auspices of the Western Nigeria Governors’ Forum, was conceived as a regional response to the alarming rise in insecurity, particularly banditry, kidnapping, and herder-farmer clashes. Since its formation, the outfit has been instrumental in mitigating criminal activity in both urban and rural communities across states like Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, and Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the group, OCGG Coordinator, Mr. Olawumi Adegbola, argued that Amotekun had evolved into a critical pillar of local security and should now be elevated into a constitutionally recognised state policing structure. He emphasised that empowering Amotekun with full legal and institutional authority would enable it to carry out more aggressive and targeted operations against criminal syndicates who have made forests and remote areas their operational base.
Adegbola dismissed the Federal Government’s recent proposal to deploy forest guards nationwide, describing it as a duplicative and ineffective measure. He insisted that introducing another layer of security personnel unfamiliar with local terrain and culture would only complicate security management and dilute existing resources. He stressed that Amotekun operatives, being indigenous to the region, possess deep knowledge of local geography, customs, language, and movement patterns, making them uniquely equipped to gather intelligence and respond swiftly to security threats.
“The most sustainable approach to addressing the persistent threats of banditry and kidnapping is through decentralised policing. Centralised control, as we currently have with federal police operations, has repeatedly proven inadequate, particularly in responding to crimes occurring in remote communities where terrain and local intelligence play a crucial role,” Adegbola stated.
He further noted that concerns around the potential abuse of state police by political actors could be addressed through robust legislation, independent oversight mechanisms, and inclusive community participation. According to him, well-structured governance and accountability frameworks can prevent state policing from becoming a tool for political repression.
OCGG also questioned the rationale behind the proposed creation of federal forest guards, arguing that such personnel would lack the community connection and environmental familiarity required to perform effectively. The group cautioned that the federal appointees leading such units could operate with limited understanding of the complex socio-cultural realities on ground, and without the loyalty or trust of local residents.
“Rather than impose unfamiliar agents into our forests, it would be far more prudent to strengthen Amotekun, which has already proven its capacity and commitment. Introducing new personnel with little or no grounding in the history, culture, and landmarks of our environment risks undermining the progress we have made so far,” the statement read.
In conclusion, the group urged the Federal Government to consider the broader security implications of continued centralisation and to support legislative reforms that would grant legal recognition and operational independence to state-level security formations like Amotekun. The call reflects growing public demand for community-led, localised security models in response to Nigeria’s complex and evolving security challenges.
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