The Oyo State Amotekun Corps is celebrating its fourth anniversary today, November 18, 2024, marking four years since it commenced operational activities on November 18, 2020. After a three-week training camp at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education in Oyo, the corps was launched to provide security and stability in the region.
Amotekun, which translates to “One that looks like a leopard” or “cheetah” in Yoruba, was established by the six state governors of the South Western states of Nigeria to curb insecurity in the region.
The Corps Commandant, Col. (Rtd) Olayinka Olayanju, has expressed gratitude to all operatives and other stakeholders for their untiring efforts and support in maintaining peace and safety of citizens. The Commandant particularly noted the efforts of the good people of the State in areas of adequate provision of intelligence to nip crimes in the bud and effective collaboration on monitoring activities of Amotekun operatives to ensure bad eggs are promptly identified and punished accordingly.
Under Col. Olayanju’s leadership, Amotekun has made significant strides in combating insecurity, including cultism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, bike snatching, hoodlums attacks on motorists, illegal mining activities and in particular farmers-herders clashes amongst several other crimes. The synergy between Amotekun and other security agencies in the State has positively impacted economic growth and physical development in the State. Thus, Oyo State has been rated as one of the safest in Nigeria.
Some of the key achievements of Amotekun include:
– Enhanced Security: Amotekun has brought relative peace and stability to Oyo State, with a considerable decrease in incidents of criminal activities such as farmers/ herders conflict, Kidnapping, ritual killings and other violent crimes..
– Proactive Responses: The Corps has been praised for its swift responses to distress calls and synergy with other security agencies including Community Based Groups for enhanced operational efficiency..
– Community Engagement: Amotekun has been engaging with local communities to take ownership and provide prompt information to prevent criminal activities in our communities.
– Visibility policing and Route protection: Major roads leading into and exiting the State capital (Ibadan) are effectively dominated by the Corps to deny criminals freedom of action thereby, providing commuters safe passage.
Residents have commended Amotekun for its efforts, citing improved security and swift responses to distress calls. The Corps has also received commendations for its handling of farmers-herders clashes, using Alternative Dispute Resolution tools to facilitate adequate compensation paid to affected farmers and herders accordingly.
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Governor Seyi Makinde has ensured the corps receives necessary logistics support, enhanced welfare packages to motivate operatives including training programs for enhance efficient performance. As Amotekun celebrates four years of active operation, its impact on regional security is undeniable, safeguarding citizens’ lives and properties.
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