Ekiti, Lagos, and Osun to Recruit 1,320 Militiamen for “Operation Amotekun”

“Operation Amotekun” the new security outfit targeted towards tackling kidnapping and criminal activities in the South West region gained momentum as Ekiti, Lagos, and Osun governments disclosed that they would employ about 1,320 militiamen.

This is coming about two-days after South-West Governors led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State commissioned the “Operation Amotekun”. It is also known as the Western Nigeria Security Network.

This development is coming after the police identified about 52 deadly blackspot they would focus on in working with the newly established security outfit.

Besides, this is also coming amid the announcement by some social-political groups across Nigeria endorsing the security outfit saying it would assist tackle the insecurity challenges in the region.

The groups that endorsed this are the Ijaw Youth Congress, Pan Nigeria Delta Forum, Arewa Consultative Forum, Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra, and the Middle Belt Forum.

It was also disclosed that the recruitment of the militiamen would be from the Oodua Peoples Congress, Vigilantes and hunters, Agbekoya, Ekiti, Lagos, and Osun and would be handled by each state in conjunction with the security agencies.

Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Governor, said Osun State planned to recruit 700 locals that would collaborate with the conventional security outfit.

He said the role of the security agency would be restricted to intelligence gathering.

He said further;

“The success of the Civilian JTF initiative in the fight against
insurgency has encouraged us to engage the locals primarily in the area of
intelligence gathering.

“We are recruiting 700 locals and all security agencies are
involved in the recruitment process. It is ongoing and I believe it will be
completed soon.”

The Special Adviser on Security to Ekiti State Governor, Brig. Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (Rtd) said Ekiti State looking at recruiting between 400 and 500 people for a start.

Also, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso disclosed that Lagos had donated 20 vehicles and would recruit 120 to support the “Operation Amotekun”