Oyo State Amotekun Corps: The need for comprehensive reforms -By Segun Adebowale

A good and right thinking person should be worried and perplexed to see the Oyo Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps clocking three years of existence under the destitute working condition for the Oyo State Amotekun operatives. The Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps, a government establishment devoid of professionalism in all ramifications.

The ultimate objectives of establishing the Western Nigeria Security Network by the Developmental Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) had been marred in Oyo state by cabal in the Oyo State Amotekun board of governance, who is too strong for Oyo state government to call to order. This cabal is depriving the Oyo state Amotekun operatives, who are foot-soldier their working benefits which should be entitled to through professional administration that fails to operate in the Oyo State Security’ Network Agency and Amotekun Corps administration. The way and manner the administrators of the Oyo Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps are operating is becoming more occultic than ever.

The needs for professionalism in the administration of the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps should be reiterated to the Oyo State government and to the Oyo State Amotekun Board of governance chairman as well as other committee members. With the fact gathered about Amotekun board of governance chairman AIG Sikiru Kayode Akande (rtd), the man is ever ready to bring in professional practice of his former career to the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps, if given the chance.

In absence of professionalism the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps cannot afford collapsing because the dearth of hierarchy will definitely facilitates anarchy

The Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps is liking to a three years old child that is being retarded in the following administrative areas which adversely affect the growth of the Oyo State Amotekun operatives.

Letter of appointment: The status of Oyo State Amotekun operatives as civil or public servants cannot be ascertained and judged due to lack of appointment letter that should state the terms and conditions of the service. If the Oyo State Amotekun operatives were even considered as ad-hoc staff, there should be appointment letter to back it up. In paper and by mouth of the Oyo State Amotekun administrators, the Oyo State Amotekun operatives are referring to as civil servants without the attached benefits in line with the Oyo State civil or public service commission. Even the private security personnel are given appointment letter not to talk of a government established security outfit. The appointment letter had been issued to the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun) of Osun, Ekiti and other states, except Oyo state Amotekun corps.

Lack of a standard operating procedure (SOP): The private security outfit and voluntary organization have a standard operation manual guiding their activities and operations, why should a government establishment like Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps be different? No code of conduct to guide operatives’ behavior and mode of dressing.

The usefulness of operation manual is highly essential, as this, if designed for the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps would be a great asset for ensuring that the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. An operation manual typically outlines the security outfit’s policies, procedures, and protocols, as well as the roles and responsibilities of staff members. The information in operation manual is essential for new and existing staff members to understand how the organization operates and how they should carry out their work. Additionally, an operation manual can help to ensure that the organization’s security protocols are followed consistently and that all staff members are familiar with operation manual contents.

As the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps is dearth of appointment letter and standard operating procedure which make the administrators to denied the Oyo State Amotekun operatives ranks structure which is a system of hierarchical relationships, within armed forces, police, intelligence agencies or other institutions (like Oyo state Amotekun) organized along military lines.

The military rank system defines dominance, authority, and responsibility in a military hierarchy. It incorporates the principles of exercising power and authority into the military chain of commandthe succession of commanders superior to subordinates through which command is exercised.

Rank is not only used to designate leadership, but to establish pay-grade as well. As rank increases, pay-grade follows, but so does the amount of responsibility. The Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps needs this military ranks system as well.

The Oyo State Amotekun Board of governance chairman and other experienced board members are beseech to render professional assistance and advice to the Oyo State government in making the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps function as a professional security outfit of world standard.

Deductively, hope the misunderstanding that occurred in the past between the two principal personalities (Col (Retd) Olayinka and Gen Kunle Toogun) who supposed to have established professionalism in the administration of the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps is not also dogging the administration of the present Oyo State Amotekun Board of governance. The Oyo State government, the Amotekun Board of governance and others concerned stakeholders in Oyo State and DAWN commission Director General Seye Oyeleye are beseech to try their best in averting any form of misunderstanding that may want to erupt between the administrators of the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps because where two elephants fight, the grass suffers.

The administrative failure of the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps is the fault of the Oyo State Amotekun operatives which enable the Oyo State Amotekun Corps Commander Col (Retd) Olayinka Olayanju to remove the Oyo State Amotekun operative(s) from any post given to them. As insufficient training emanates from the failure of the Oyo State Amotekun administrators, the Oyo State Amotekun operatives are being faulty of not knowing the rules of engagement and this is responsible for wasting of civilian lives, as in the recent case of shooting of innocent Parker who was performing his duty at Akinyele dump area in Ibadan.

As the growth of the Oyo State Amotekun operatives is being retarded on daily basis, the Oyo State Amotekun Commander Col. (Rtd) Olayinka has completed a mega petrol filling station and is presently busy building a 5 stars hotel for himself while his deputy Akinro Kazeem has ventured into cars’ dealer business all at the expenses of the Oyo State Amotekun operatives who are the foot soldiers that are working tirelessly day and night in bringing about a serene environment to the people of Oyo State.

The Oyo State Amotekun operatives are neglected, no promotion, no grading/ranks, no civil servants benefits, no adequate personnel training, no fair hearing, no code of conduct, no operation manual, no appointment letter, no leave, no leave bonus and other benefits that can make their work more interesting and comfortable.

Failure to proffer or suggest workable solution to the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps administrative problems will make this and many other articles written by Segun Adebowale on problems confronting the Oyo State Amotekun operatives a destructive criticism, but to make the Oyo State government, Oyo State Amotekun board of governance, the commandant, Oyo State citizens and any other interested stakeholders in the progress of Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to be on the same page of professionalism or reason beyond the better life here are the suggested and summarized solutions.

The problems in Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps can be summerized and sequentially related thus: failure in using and complied with the Oyo State Security Network Agency law 2020 brings about failure in having a standard operating procedures and code conduct which prevented the Oyo State Amotekun operatives from being ranked/graded and this ultimately denied the Oyo State Amotekun operatives appointment letter. If the Oyo State Security Network Agency law 2020 can be put to use, with other valuable input from the Oyo State Amotekun board of governance, there will be professional administration in the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun corps.

In conclusion, the effort of the Oyo State Amotekun Board of governance chairman AIG Sikiru Kayode Akande (rtd) must be commended in forming a formidable relationship between other southwest states by organized a day regional training programme for South West Security Network (Amotekun Corps). In fact, from the very first time since the establishment of Western Nigeria Security Network (AMOTEKUN) the founder and initiator; Development Agendas for Western Nigeria (DAWN commission) play an active role in organizing the training programme.

Imagine this Commission has been participating or carrying along, professionalism would have arrived the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps.

Indeed, this three years celebration is nothing but sober reflection of unprofessionalism (no staff development and no better working condition) in the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps.