Amotekun at a critical juncture: Financial and welfare hurdles jeopardize regional law enforcement initiative

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*Personnel paid N75, 000 salary

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*Why we established Amotekun — South-West Govs

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By Dayo Johnson, Dapo Akinrefon, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Shina Abubarka, James Ogunnaike & Adeola Badru

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There were grand designs to frustrate the realisation of that day. From the Federal Government, which did not give any go ahead for the launching, while the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, declared that it was illegal; to the boycott by the Police and military authorities; pushback from northern political elites; restricted firearms usage; to subterranean moves by a section of the political leadership of the self-same South West geo-political zone to ensure that the launch did not hold, Thursday, January 9, 2020, held with gusto. It was the day the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, was launched.

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In its early days, the people welcomed it because of some local interventions it carried out in the security space within the region.

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Indeed, the roles of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, late Ondo State governor, and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, to withstand all the pressures and still go ahead remain remarkable.

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No longer at ease

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Today, there are fears that all is no longer at ease with Amotekun

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Despite growing concerns over the sustainability of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, investigations across South-West states reveal a mixed picture of expansion, operational resilience and persistent challenges.

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While Oyo and Ogun states appear to be strengthening their security architecture through increased manpower and government support, concerns over funding, welfare, logistics and limitations on weaponry continue to hamper operations in some other states.

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A Vanguard assessment of the corps across South-West states shows that Oyo State has 2,500 personnel; Ogun State is currently recruiting 1,000 additional operatives; Ondo State has over 2,000 personnel (500 new recruits approved); Ekiti State has over 1,500 personnel and Osun State has 1,450 personnel.

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2,500 Personnel, strong govt backing in Oyo

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Findings indicate that Oyo State currently operates one of the largest and most active Amotekun formations in the South-West, with 2,500 personnel, including newly recruited forest rangers deployed to strengthen surveillance in forests, border communities and rural areas.

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Sources familiar with the operations of the corps said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has consistently prioritised security funding through regular budgetary allocations covering personnel welfare, logistics, equipment procurement and operational activities.

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The corps has become a critical component of the state’s security architecture, supporting conventional security agencies in intelligence gathering, anti-kidnapping operations and community policing initiatives.

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An assessment of its operational outlook suggests that Oyo Amotekun remains sustainable in the near term, largely due to strong political support, public acceptance and continued government investment.

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The 2025 approved budget provides N2.72 billion for the corps, covering personnel and operational expenses.

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However, the invasion of Orire Local Government Area by terrorists on May 15 appears to have poured cold water on all these support activities.

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Questions continue to arise regarding the lack of intelligence which should have alerted the state authorities about the presence of terrorists in forests in the state.

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Whereas Orire LG has a landmass of 2,116 sq km, its “vast, rural, and dispersed territory presents distinct administrative and security challenges.

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Ogun: Expansion, not decline

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In Ogun State, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd), dismissed suggestions that the agency is underfunded.

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According to him, the corps currently possesses adequate personnel, vehicles and logistics to execute its mandate effectively across the state.

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Adedigba pointed to the ongoing recruitment of 1,000 new operatives as evidence of government’s commitment and institutional growth.

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He argued that the scale of the recruitment exercise, with its attendant costs covering salaries, uniforms, insurance, healthcare and logistics, demonstrates that the agency cannot be described as underfunded.

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The commander also defended existing restrictions on weapon use, noting that the corps operates strictly within the legal framework establishing the agency.

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Ekiti: Over 1,500 operatives, but firepower concerns persist

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Ekiti State currently has over 1,500 personnel deployed across the state, including Agro-Marshals and members of the Anti-Grazing Task Force.

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The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (retd), commended the achievements of the corps and emphasized collaboration with security agencies such as the Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC and local vigilante groups.

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However, concerns remain over the operational limitations facing personnel.

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Amotekun Commander in the State, Brig. Gen. Olu Adewa (retd), recently lamented constitutional restrictions that prevent the corps from matching the firepower of criminal gangs armed with AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons.

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Sources within the agency also identified poor funding, inadequate logistics, limited welfare packages and the absence of a clear career progression structure as factors affecting morale among operatives.

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Ondo: Over 2,000 personnel, welfare debate rages

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Findings show that Ondo State has more than 2,000 Amotekun personnel following multiple recruitment exercises since the corps was established by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently approved the recruitment and training of 500 additional operatives to strengthen security across the state.

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While sources said government allocation to the agency may have increased from about N40 million monthly under the previous administration to N50 million, this could not be independently verified.

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However, senior officials within the corps insist funding remains inadequate. The issue has also become a subject of political debate. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the state government of neglecting welfare concerns, including allegations of unpaid salaries, lack of appointment letters, delayed promotions and job insecurity.

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the administration is addressing welfare and structural concerns while prioritising security and operational efficiency.

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Osun: 1,450 personnel battle low morale, logistics challenges

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In Osun State, investigations revealed that the Amotekun Corps currently has 1,450 active personnel spread across all local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office.

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Despite its presence across the state, the corps is reportedly grappling with welfare and operational challenges. Findings showed that operatives earn a flat salary of N75,000 and allegedly lack comprehensive health and life insurance coverage. The corps is also said to face logistic constraints, relying largely on vehicles supplied at inception, many of which are reportedly no longer operational.

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Observers further cited concerns over leadership transitions, recruitment controversies and declining public confidence following allegations of misconduct involving personnel in parts of the state.

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Why we established Amotekun — South-West govs

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In 2020, Governors in the South West Zone, flagged-off the operations of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), in Ibadan, stressing that it would complement the mainstream security agencies in the country.

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, then Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti and late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo were present at the event.

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Former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun was represented by his deputy, Mr Benedit Alabi, while Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun was represented by his deputy, Mr Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

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Speaking at the occasion, Fayemi said Amotekun was not a duplication or replacement for the Nigerian Police.

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According to him, “Amotekun is a complement that will give our people confidence that they are being looked after by those they elected into office. So, we do not want this to create fear in the mind of anybody as we are not creating a regional police force and are fully aware of the steps we must take to have state police.”

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Fayemi said insecurity of lives and property in recent times was the main reason behind the formation of the security outfit. He added that the mainstream security outfits had not been forthcoming in arresting the situation.

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“It was in the context of the unfortunate development that we lost the daughter of Pa Rueben Fasanranti, the leader of Afenifere. And that further put pressure on us, as leaders in the Southwest, to do something about insecurity. As elected leaders, our primary responsibility, according to Section 14 (2) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, is the security and welfare of citizens.

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In his keynote address, Akeredolu said the outfit was only one of the many solutions being planned to tackle the many socio-economic problems facing the South West region. He said that the six states each had procured 20 pickup vehicles and 100 units of motorcycles for the operations.

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Akeredolu said the outfit would enhance the efforts of the government in tackling security challenges across the zone and the nation as a whole.

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Makinde, in his address of welcome, said it was the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens, adding that the governors took the oath to defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“The security of their lives and properties should be of paramount importance,” he said

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Funding, welfare, weapon limitations emerge as common challenges

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Although the operational realities vary from state to state, three recurring concerns emerged from Vanguard’s findings, which included inadequate funding in several states; welfare challenges affecting morale and retention, and legal restrictions on weapon acquisition and deployment.

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Security analysts argue that while Amotekun has become an indispensable layer of grassroots security across the South West, its long-term effectiveness will depend on sustained funding, modern equipment, improved welfare packages, regular training and stronger collaboration with federal security agencies.

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As insecurity continues to evolve, the future of the regional security outfit may ultimately depend on how state governments address these structural challenges while preserving the community-based policing model that has defined Amotekun since its inception.

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