Ex-Police Chief Raises Questions on Amotekun

Matilda Omonaiye/

Can the Southwest security outfit codenamed Amotekun make meaningful headway without tapping from the wealth of experience of retired or serving police officers?

That is the question raised by a retired commissioner of police, Dr Olayinka Balogun while reacting to the constitution of the Governing Boards of the Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps with the exclusion of serving or retired police officers.

Balogun, a Patron of PCRC and erstwhile Consultant on Security to Ogun State Government, told NewsmakersNG: “I have noticed that states in the Southwest have started constituting their Governing Boards of the Various Amotekun Groups. In Osun and Ekiti. I have also noticed with serious concern that the Police as a Body is being sidelined.

“It is a dangerous path. How can we leave the Police out of any issue concerning internal security? I have seen the Board Membership of Osun and Ekiti. Mainly soldiers, vigilante officials and civilians. These people can be relevant and functional only when police officers, serving or retired, are involved.

“Who will liaise with the Police Commands on serious Internal Security matters? Mark my words; any Amotekun activity devoid of police involvement will create more problems. It is just not possible. Police Force is the mother of Security matters, Constitutional and Operational, worldwide. Our own cannot be different.

“I suggest that all stakeholders should rise up and correct this anomaly before more problems are created.”