The Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill 2020 also known as Amotekun Corps bill has today passed second reading at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The bill which is to establish an indigenous based security agency across the six southwest States (Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti) to collaborate with and assist the Police and other security agencies in maintaining law and order within the States.
Speaking with newsmen after the plenary, the Oyo State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin noted that the lawmakers are excited with the bill and will do everything possible to accelerate its passage into law within some days.
According to him, the Amotekun bill will go beyond 2020 and even the 9th assembly that is why the Oyo Assembly will give it critical check to ensure the excitement does not make the State overlook possible loopholes.
“Truly, we are excited just as our people about this bill which promises to strength our state of security across southwest States. But we’ve passed it to House Committee on Security for scrutiny. After that, we will hold public hearing to ensure our people’s opinions are accommodated.
“Personally, I’ve seen lot of comments and positions from our people in the media about the proposed security outfits and its bill. Amotekun as generated lot of attention and the expectations are high, thus we have to handle all it’s processes with the importance it deserves.”
In his words, Hon. Hakeem Adedibu representing Iwajowa State constituency charged the lawmakers to ensure it is stipulated in the bill that Amotekun officers should be recruited from and for their local government to fulfill it’s indigenous purpose and competency.
He said, “Just last week an armed police officer was kidnapped in my local government and till date there is no useful information about his whereabout. The Police needs a supporting hand of people that are familiar with the terrain of their communities and villages.”
Hon. Babajide Adebayo representing Ibadan North II emphasized on the need for the lawmakers to consider the peculiarities of the State and its people in the bill.
He said, “Amotekun is SouthWest security idea, however, our peculiarities should be considered in the structure and enactment to make sure this work for us.
“We have lost relatives, friends and loved ones to bandits, arm robbers, kidnapping and other crimes, therefore having Amotekun now is long expected.
“It will make policing in our communities, cities and villages effective and the safety of our people and their properties will improve.”
