Makinde Donates N32.5m To 13 Families of Slain Amotekun Corps Members

…as Gov commissions Corps new ultra-modern state headquarters in Akinyele LG

…says Amotekun has served Oyo State diligently

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, donated the sum of Thirty-Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N32.5m), to family members of thirteen Amotekun Operatives who lost their lives within the first one year of the outfit.

The governor made the donation at the first anniversary of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, and the commissioning of the Ultra-Modern state headquarters of the outfit.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said that the event which was held at the Agbaakin, Moniya, Ibadan, had the Deputy Governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan and an array of government officials.in attendance.

The statement quoted the Governor as saying that Amotekun has served Oyo state diligently and productively.

He maintained that Amotekun Corps member have become so integrated in the state’s internal security system, adding that some of the operatives have even paid the supreme price in a bid to secure lives and properties in the state.

The Governor further explained that his administration will continue to invest in security to ensure that security challenges do not disrupt the economic prosperity of the state.

He said: “It is almost impossible today to think of an Oyo State without members of the Oyo State Security Network. Amotekun has become so integrated with our state’s internal security that it is hard to believe that they were operationalised a year ago, on November 18, 2020. Everywhere we go, we see them; in the city and rural areas, they are ready to respond to distress calls."

“Although the Oyo State security network is part of wider Western Nigeria Security Network, we knew how important Amotekun would be in securing our state from the outset. And that is why we were at the forefront of working with the DAWN Commission to ensure that the other five South West governors bought into the vision. Once that vision became a reality, we signed the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Bill 2020, into law in March 2020. We then embarked on recruiting 1,500 personnel for the Corps."

“As you well know, most of the people recruited were already part of the various vigilantes and neighborhood watch groups. However, guided by the Amotekun Act, the recruits were subjected to training on operating procedures."