Public hearing: Lagos stakeholders endorse Amotekun, seek proper recruitment
Stakeholders across Lagos State and environs have pledged their support for the creation of Amotekun in the state.
They spoke during a one-day Stakeholders Forum on a Bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Agency Law, 2019 aimed at establishing the Amotekun Corps yesterday at the Pavilion on the Assembly’s premises.
A representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) stated that the church was in support of Amotekun as they would pray for the success of the corps, while commending the proponents of the concept.
Also supporting the initiative, a Security Consultant and Analyst, Mr. Dickson Osagie urged the government to emphasise proper training of personnel of Amotekun as insufficient parenting had been contributing to the high rate of insecurity in Lagos State.
In his comment, Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Engineer Adedeji Doherty, who was represented by Chief Sunday Olaifa, said that the party was in support of Amotekun but, however, cautioned against party sentiment, religion and ethnic colouration while recruiting personnel.
In his contribution, another security expert, Mr. Gboyega Alowonle said that the state assembly should look at the recruitment of personnel and training.
“Let us ensure that the personnel go through due diligence. You cannot rule out Nigerian Police in the area of security, and Community Policing is also important,” he said.
Also contributing, Mr. Lekan Otukoya advised that the government should give consideration to pioneers of neighbourhood watch in the state.
Otukoya said that members of the neighbourhood watch were laid off in 2016 without compensations, but that they had been doing good jobs since 1996, when they started.
Speaking on behalf of the Seriki Hausawa of Alimosho, Ibrahim Abubakar, suggested that people should be careful about provocative statements.
Abubakar said that the Hausas should give people sense of belonging and that community on board and let us communicate with our people.
Chairman of Agbekoyas in Lagos State, Alhaji Davis said that they had the ability to fight crimes without using arms or weapons.
“Let us employ those who know the job rather than using enemies. We should not use just anybody. Agbekoyas have the power to cope and fight criminals,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Publicity, Strategy and Security, Hon. Tunde Braimoh said that Section 14 (b) of the 1999 Constitution stated that security was the number one job of the government.
newtelegraph.com
