Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday 10th, March 2020 signed the first of its kind State Security Network Agency {Amotekun} bill into law in Oyo State. The Chairman of South-West governors forum Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Jan. 9th 2020 in Ibadan had launched the Amotekun initiative. 
The launch had necessitated the process of giving legal backing to the initiative by the Houses of Assembly in the six states. The Oyo State House of Assembly on Feb. 24 held a public hearing on the bill and passed it on March 3.
Gov Seyi Makinde in his opening remarks before signing the Amotekun Bill into law said that the process of establishing the Amotekun Security outfit started since last year July, 2019. He further to say the initiative isn’t meant to displace the existing security agencies already in place but rather to help compliment them while looking for smart ways to tackle the security challenges facing the country.
The governor noted that security agencies had been stretched to the limit, stressing that there were challenges in the North-East where some of the personnel were deployed.
He said
“But we still need to create a safe and secure environment at the state and local government levels so that our people can go about their lawful business.
”I’m also using this opportunity to thank our security agencies for the work they are doing,” he stated.
The governor warned criminally minded people to stay away from Oyo State and the entire South-West geo-political zone, saying “Amotekun would get them if they refuse to leave.”
He gave an assurance to investors to come to Oyo State, saying the state is safe and secure for business.
The assent and signing of the bill into law was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubanwo Adeosun, and the Chief of Staff, Bisi Ilaka and other top government functionaries and public servants. The 32-year-old speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Mr Debo Ogundoyin led other Lawmakers to present the bill for assenting to the Governor. 
Photo Credit: Getty
