As controversy continues to trail the formation of a security outfit to tackle rising threats in the Southwest, a northern group has thrown its weight behind the outfit, known as Amotekun. The National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said in an interview with Vanguard that they were in full support of Amotekun given the rising wave of insecurity and violence across the country in recent times.
Shettima said that rather than dismissing Amotekun as illegal and vilifying the Southwest governors for their ingenuity in setting up the security outfit, the federal government should team up with the governors and ensure the work-ability of the new outfit.
“Shettima said: I am a strong supporter of community policing given the state of insecurity in Nigeria particularly in the northern part of the country and I believe that Amotekun is a right step in the right direction which should be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians.
“As far as I am concerned the North should get ready to start its own version of Amotekun in order to be able to tackle the rising wave of insecurity in the region. It is only when one is alive that there could be governance. “The situation is clear and simple: If the state cannot protect and defend its citizens the people must find a way to protect themselves,” the youth leader contended.
In the same vein, a formidable group in the west, Asiwaju Youth Mandate has also commended the role of the royal fathers in the west for their full support behind Amotekun. The Director of publicity, Mallam Waliy Abdulazeez specifically mentioned the role of Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III for creating a conducive environment for the security outfit to thrive in Oyo. It was also gathered authoritatively that a team of royal fathers are set to storm Abuja to discuss the status of Amotekun and how to position its activities within the ambit of the law so as to give it a political solution
