RMAFC Says Amotekun, Others May Transform into State Police
Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC), Mohammed Shehu, has hinted that the establishment of Amotekun and other state security outfits may signal the beginning of State Police in the country.
Shehu made this revelation during a courtesy visit to the Ondo State security outfit, codenamed Amotekun, in Akure.
Shehu who was speaking through the team leader of the Indices and Disbursement Committee of the Commission, Isiak Hamid, commended the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and other South-West governors over the Amotekun initiative.
He stated further that the initiative was aimed at tackling insecurity as well as ensuring that peace continues to reign in their domain.
The Chairman RMAFC said “We want to commend Governor Akeredolu and other governors in the South-West for coming up with the noble initiative which has continued to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the area. May be, this would be the beginning of State Police in Nigeria.
“We have seen commitment, and real patriotism. We can see that Mr. Governor did not set up this security outfit as a joke. It is not cosmetic. We will convey your message to our chairman, who sent us and we also ask that the state Governor gives a certain percentage to Amotekun to access stabilisation fund and it is our prayer that some part of it gets to the Corps.”
Earlier, the State Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, also commended the Commission for the visit and its readiness to support the Corps.
Adeleye, stated that funding is a challenge, and applauded Governor Akeredolu for ensuring that the Corps continues to nip crimes in the bud.
He explained that they need more support in the area of funding for equipment and to holistically tackle crimes.
The Ondo State Commander of Amotekun said “One major advantage that we have is that we understand the terrain and we have the men, but we don’t have the equipment.
“Our security architecture is enhanced by very good communication equipment that we have, but it is grossly inadequate.
“Within our first six months of coming on board, we received over 5,000 petitions from farmers complaining that they were being robbed, Kidnapped and their livestock and farmlands destroyed, but within our limited resources, we were able to arrest the situation.”
He pointed out that Ondo State is the gateway to the entire south west region, adding the Commission would have been saving future generations if it assist the security outfit with adequate fund to cushion the challenge of inadequate funding.
