….Stakeholders call for stronger legal backing

…Commitment has declined

…Operatives have displayed bravery— Afenifere

…We’ve curtailed excesses of criminals—Commanders

By Dayo Johnson, Rotimi Ojomoyela, James Ogunnaike & Adeola Badru

THE operations and effectiveness of the Western Nigeria Security Network, WNSN, code-named Amotekun, have come under scrutiny.

Operation Amotekun, which acts as a vital grassroots intelligence network, has remained significantly constrained by a lack of central coordination, underfunding, and an inability to carry sophisticated firearms.

The worsening insecurity in the country and influx of terrorists into Yorubaland has raised eyebrows over the effectiveness of the security outfit.

Also, the lack of support from the governors has called into question the integrity of the outfit.

Recall that the birth of the regional security outfit was aimed at tackling farmers/herders crises, protecting farmers and their farmlands against invasion by killer herdsmen terrorising the zone.

Former Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, late Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was at the forefront of the establishment of Amotekun.

The late Akeredolu hinged his reasons on the fact that “foreigners” could not continue to have the audacity of killing Yoruba farmers on their lands while conventional security agencies fold their arms waiting until they receive directives from Abuja before arresting them.

However, the recent abduction of teachers and children in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has raised dust over the outfit’s effectiveness.

On May 15, 2026, 39 students and seven teachers of the Ahoro Esinele community were abducted by armed men, however, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the terrorists.

While outrage followed the abduction, many view this as an affront on Yorubaland.

Whither Amotekun?

Stakeholders in the South-West have called to question the mode of operations of the outfit, but it has been handicapped by so many factors.

Some of the bottlenecks that have hampered the activities of the outfit include weaponry and power.
Upon the establishment of Amotekun, personnel were barred by the Federal Government from carrying superior weapons like AK-47s.

This puts them at a severe disadvantage against heavily armed bandits. They also lack full prosecutorial powers.

Also, many state commands lack adequate operational vehicles, communication gadgets, and consistent funding, limiting their rapid response capabilities.

Operatives have displayed bravery— Afenifere

Appraising the activities of the outfit, the National Organising Secretary of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Abagun Kole Omololu, said despite limited resources, inadequate funding and constitutional limitations, the corps has been remarkable.

Omololu said: “Afenifere commends the courage and operational effectiveness of the South-West Amotekun, in confronting the growing menace of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and rural insecurity across the South-West.

“Since its establishment, Amotekun has emerged as a vital community-based security structure that has restored confidence among farmers, traders, commuters and residents previously subjected to fear and criminal violence.

“Despite limited resources, inadequate funding and constitutional limitations, the corps has displayed remarkable bravery, strong intelligence- gathering capacity and impressive familiarity with local terrains, thereby complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies.

“Their interventions in several flashpoints across the region have helped curb criminal activities and reinforce communal vigilance.

“However, it remains deeply troubling that personnel confronting heavily armed criminal elements are still denied access to sophisticated defensive equipment comparable to that available to the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and other federal security agencies.

“It is both illogical and dangerous to expect regional security operatives battling terrorists and kidnappers armed with automatic weapons to rely on inferior equipment.

“Security must never be politicised where the safety and survival of innocent citizens are concerned.”

Stakeholders call for stronger legal backing

Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for greater commitment from South-West governors toward strengthening the regional security outfit.

The Convener of the Yoruba Commitment Group, Mr Tayo Onayemi, said that although Amotekun had survived legal and political challenges since its establishment, more support was needed to address growing insecurity in the region.

Onayemi said: “From the outset, many people believed Amotekun would become a toothless bulldog, but it has survived and continued to complement the efforts of the police in combating insecurity.”

He, however, argued that the corps required stronger legal powers, increased funding and better operational equipment to function effectively.

“The enabling law establishing Amotekun should be reviewed to grant the outfit more powers and responsibilities. It should be properly funded, fully equipped and more actively engaged by South-West states.

“We have capable local hunters and community security groups in the South-West. What is required is the political will and approval from state governments to integrate them into the fight against terrorism and kidnapping,” he added.

Commitment to Amotekun has declined

Lamenting that the original vision behind Amotekun appeared to have weakened, the Head of Human Rights Department at the Justice, Development and Peace Movement, Mr Niyi Rotimi, attributed it to declining commitment from some South-West governors.

Rotimi said: “The effectiveness and visibility of Amotekun in its early years were largely driven by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who championed the initiative with passion and determination.

“There is a need for increased funding, improved welfare for operatives and recruitment of more able-bodied personnel, especially those with grassroots security experience, such as members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

“The people deserve stronger action, better coordination and a renewed commitment to regional security before the vision behind Amotekun is completely lost.”

We’ve curtailed excesses of criminals— Amotekun commanders

Also speaking, the Commander of Amotekun in Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said that the security outfit has curtailed the excesses of criminals since its establishment.

Adeleye, who is also the chairman of Amotekun in the South-West, said that with the establishment of the security outfit, it has intensified operations to stop the spread of criminal activities such as kidnapping, killings and armed robbery across the state.

He said: “We have established joint clearance operations across forest areas in six local governments bordering three states. To show that we’re performing in Ondo State, we have decided to focus more on the prosecution of the criminals while at the same time tracking down criminal elements in the state.
“Our goal is to bring respite to the people of Ondo State.”

The Commandant of the outfit in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd), defended the performance of the outfit.

Olayanju said: “Amotekun was established to complement conventional security agencies, and we have made significant progress in combating kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality across Oyo State.

“Our operatives are familiar with the terrain and work closely with local communities to gather intelligence and respond swiftly to security threats. We have recorded successes in several operations, but we still require more logistics, operational vehicles and support to enhance our effectiveness.”

Similarly, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), who is the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, restated the effectiveness of Amotekun in strengthening security architecture across the state and complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in tackling crime and protecting residents.

Ogundana said the collaboration between Amotekun operatives, the police, military, civil defence and local vigilante groups had significantly enhanced intelligence-gathering and rapid response to security threats, particularly in vulnerable communities and public institutions.

At the grassroots level, he said Amotekun in Ekiti has been evident in its grassroots approach to security, community intelligence network and constant patrol of rural and urban communities.

His words: “The effectiveness of Amotekun in Ekiti State lies in its closeness to the people and its understanding of the local environment. Working together with other security agencies, they have helped in intelligence- gathering, surveillance and rapid intervention across vulnerable areas.

“We have identified strategic locations and schools that may be vulnerable, and adequate security measures have been put in place. Residents should remain calm because all security agencies, including Amotekun, are fully committed to ensuring that such incidents do not occur in Ekiti State.

“One important thing is that security is a collective responsibility. Amotekun has been very useful because its operatives are familiar with the terrain and work closely with local communities. The people know their environment better, and timely information sharing helps security agencies to act quickly.”

“A lot of security operations are ongoing behind the scenes, and we cannot disclose every detail publicly.
“However, residents should be assured that the government, with the support of Amotekun and other security agencies, is working tirelessly to keep Ekiti safe”, he disclosed.

On his part, Commandant of the Corps in Ogun State, Brig. Gen.Alade Adedigba (retd), insisted that the outfit has continued to complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.

Adedigba, who said the corps has lived up to expectations, explained that the corps’ grassroots approach to intelligence gathering had proved effective in identifying threats early and preventing criminal activities before they escalated.

He said: “As insecurity continues to pose serious challenges across the country, Amotekun has remained committed to supporting conventional security agencies through community-based intelligence gathering, strategic patrols and technology-driven operations.

“This local integration has proven effective in identifying security threats early and preventing criminal activities before they escalate.

“In recent years, intensified patrols along these flashpoints have contributed significantly to improved safety for commuters, farmers and residents.”

He, however, stressed that Amotekun was not established to replace federal security agencies but to reinforce existing security structures through collaboration.

He said: “Amotekun is not a replacement for the Nigeria Police Force or any federal security agency. It is a support system designed to complement and strengthen the existing security architecture. Our collaboration with the police and other agencies continues to create a safer environment for residents and investors.”