OPINION: SHOULD KWARA STATE PARTNER WITH SOUTHWEST STATES OVER AMOTEKUN INITIATIVES?
01-03-2020
By:
BASHEER LUQMAN OLAREWAJU
JustEventOnlineTV
In recent times, our nation has been battling with different kinds of insecurity challenges, the menace has been widespread and there need be the birth of Community policing to tackle such ungodly acts from the lowest constituency.
Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.
The United States Department of Justice has defined community policing as a philosophy that “focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships.” ¹
This requires an organizational transformation inside the law enforcement agency and set of basic values rather than mere procedures guide the overall delivery of services to the community.
Community policing is founded on the stance that the true sons and daughters of the soil should be empowered to prevent crime or the problems that lead to crime.
These personalities will be saddled with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining mutual trust as the central goal of community policing, as it allows wide law enforcement access to valuable community information leading potentially to the prevention and resolution of crimes.
In lieu of countless approaches to the definition of community- oriented policing, the application of problem- solving strategies or tactics cannot be overemphasized, the birth of and reliance on effective partnerships with the community and other public/private-sector resources is a key component, the transformation of police organization and culture to support this philosophical shift. Community policing is not in itself a tactic or strategy, but instead a philosophical approach to how policing is conducted.
The Southwestern states in Nigeria are not excluded in the insecurity challenges facing the country, ranging from banditry, farmers-herders fight, kidnapping, abduction, human trafficking amongst othes. This necessitate the birth of a Community based security outfit. This will bring back to existence the lost peaceful coexistence and stability to the region.
Operation Amotekun remains the first regional security outfit initiated by a geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Meanwhile, the local security initiative would complement the Police and other paramilitary organisations to fight crime.
Operation Amotekun is made up of specifically hired local hunters, members of vigilante groups, men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
Amotekun is the Yoruba word for Leopard. The leopard also called panther, is a large cat closely related to the lion, tiger, and jaguar and it is the second-biggest African cat with an average body mass of between 60kg and 70kg.²
"We are not creating regional police force and we are fully aware of the steps to take to have state police." Gov Fayemi.
On Thursday, January 9, 2020, Governors of Nigeria’s six southwest states of Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos, launched the western Nigeria security network called ‘Operation Amotekun’ in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
As important as this could be, it is pertinent to look at what will be the fate of Kwara State when the initiative started her full operation.
Kwara is blessed with varieties of ethnic groups ranging from Fulani, Yoruba, Nupe and lots more. It is now pertinent to ensure the workability of the existence harmonious coexistence in the state.
Two key points to access are; The Geo-Political zone and The Geographical location.
The state is grouped in the North Central Geo-Political zone, it was created in 1967 out of the Northern Region.
The geographical location calls for another angle to observe, the state has her boundaries with about 3 states in different 5 strategic areas. Otte linked to Ogbomoso - Oyo State, Osi linked to Ekiti State,
Erin Ile linked to Osun State, Alapa linked to Igbeti - Oyo State and also Ilesha Baruba linked to Saki - Oyo State.
It is an obligation unto the government to seek the safety and well-being of her citizens.
Nigerian Coat of Arms
Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
Section 14(2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that-
(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;
(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and
(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. ³
Amotekun Initiatives will send the perpetrators of evils in the Southwest region on the journey of no return and alas, it it sacrosanct that these criminals will find solace in the nearby Communities to initiate their impious acts.
This will birth psychological fear that can spread rapidly and is not limited to those experiencing the event directly—others that are affected include family members of victims and survivors, and people who are exposed through broadcast images.
Psychological suffering is usually more prevalent than the physical injuries from a terrorism event. Understanding these psychological consequences is critical. likewise, it has great impediment to the efforts put forth to the development of basic intervention strategies at the pre-event, event, and post-event phases that will limit the adverse psychological effects of terrorism.
On this note, the state would need to fasten her plannings on security arrangements in order to curb the aftermath of Amotekun Initiatives.
We need to make sure that they don't make an inroad to Kwara State; no space for them to settle down in respect to getting the state as concealment as a result of lethargic actions of the appropriate authorities.
That, the state government apart from creating her own security outfit should also be an integral part of the decision making process on Amotekun to bring Nexus to her established security accoutrements.
Kwara state is not in the scene of Amotekun formulation, having Representative(s) would mother more good than harm. Albeit, it should not create social disadvantage, and political misconception.
That, the state government should bring up a security outfit that has capability to tackle any local security challenges and align with the diverse culture, ethnicity and religiosity of the citizens in the state.
References
1.United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, “What is Community Policing,” http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=36 [Accessed July 4, 2005].↵
2. https://www.google.com/search?q=Amotekun+is+the+Yoruba+word+for+Leopard.+The+leopard+also+called+panther%2C+is+a+large+cat+closely+related+to+the+lion%2C+tiger%2C+and+jaguar+and+it+is+the+second-biggest+African+cat+with+an+average+body+mass+of+between+60kg+and+70kg.&oq=
3. The 1999 Nigeria Constitution.
*BASHEER LUQMAN OLAREWAJU*
08106710901
basheerluqman123@gmail.com
0 Comments