Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinabjo, has said that the Federal Government and the governors of the six South-West states have agreed on how the new security outfit, Amotekun, set up by the region, should proceed.
Prof. Osinbajo met in Abuja on Thursday with the six South-West governors, alongside Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar.
His spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said the meeting was at the instance of the governors who had asked to see President Muhammadu Buhari over the controversy surrounding the Amotekun initiative. Due to the President’s absence, he asked the Vice President to host the meeting.
“The meeting was very fruitful and unanimous resolutions were made on the way forward,” Mr Akande said in a statement.
“Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing the security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of Amotekun should also align with the Community Policing strategy of the Federal Government.
“It was also agreed that necessary legal instruments will be put in place by each of the States to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure.”
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who spoke to journalists after the meeting, corroborated the Vice President’s statement.
“What I believe is our resolution is that Amotekun is there, you know the Federal Government is starting community policing, in essence really is about community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekun work in a way,” he said.
The creation of the security network to check rampant attacks and kidnapping in the region triggered controversy, with many Nigerians backing the effort while the Federal Government initially said it was unconstitutional.
Thursday’s meeting means both sides have agreed to pull back from confrontation and work together under the Federal Government’s community policing initiative.