Paul Ukpabio
SECURITY experts have welcome the introduction of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) but warned that government should address the use of arms by the outfit.
The WNSN, which is codenamed Operation Amotekun, was launched in Ibadan on Thursday.
A former Commandant of the Nigeria War College, Major General Sam Momah (Rtd) said the coming of the outfit underscores the failure of the traditional security agencies to live up to their constitutional responsibilities.
He does not see Operation Amotekun succeeding where the police, the military and civil defence corps have failed.
He said: “Amotekun will not solve the problem because if the people who should do the job have not done the job and nobody is there trying to make them do their job, then we are wasting our time because this Amotekun that is being put together will fail eventually.”
Mrs. Victoria Ekhomu, CEO, Trans-world Security, said: “The forming of Operation Amotekun is quite critical as many have been kidnapped and some killed in the Southwest. The herders who have unleashed mayhem in many parts of the country have made the Southwest quite unsafe.
Group Captain Sanni B. Adamu (rtd) said: “It shows that the federal government has failed to protect lives and property; so what next is that you have to protect yourself.”
Lucky Unuode (Executive Director, Bayan Securities And Guards Ltd) said: “The launch of Amotekun by the Southwest governors is a welcome development in my view as far as combating crime is concerned. But there is need for proper training of the operatives so that it will not be hijacked by some people. I feel there should be a central regional body that will be in full control of the outfit.
Colonel David Binitie (rtd) said: “There is the need to reform policing in the nation. This is only a knee-jerk response to a national failure to do the needful.
“Restructuring is not just about money. The security and other such arrangements which were in place in 1966 cannot address the current realities. Policing also requires a process for prosecution. What arrangement has Amotekun in this regard? So this raises a lot of other issues.”
Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd) said: “Operation Amotekun is quite apt and relevant to curbing our security challenges.
“One must commend the Southwest governors for finally developing the will to respond to our seemingly endless security challenges.
Lt Colonel Segun Atanda (rtd) of Proton Security Services said: “It’s a welcome development in view of current security challenges in the country. They should be able to carry arms which should be defined and be accountable.