Michael Adesanya
Abeokuta
The Amotekun solidarity rally to canvass for the southwest Nigeria security network, codenamed operation Amotekun, recorded poor turn out in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
The protesters, who were drawn from over 14 Yoruba groups, converged on Panseke area of Abeokuta metropolis to stage the rally.
They carried placards with various inscriptions to support the Security initiative, insisting it should be allowed to operate in the region.
The Coordinator of Amotekun Solidarity Rally in Ogun State, Jimoh Olawale Taofeek, urged the federal government to reconsider its position on the issue.
He said that Amotekun is not established to witch-hunt anybody but rather to complement efforts of other security agencies in the country.
His words: ” We are here to reach out to the larger public. We want to tell the Federal government and the entire Nigerian populace that we want Amotekun in Southwest. If Hisbah can be in the Northern States, if there can be Azaru, there can be Civilian JTF, if there can be Vigilance groups, some of them even carry arms, arresting even legitimate police officers, so there is no reason why we should not consider Amotekun in SouthWest.
“Besides, I want make it very clear that Amotekun is not to witchhunt anybody whatsoever. I think one of the major responsibilities is to protect the masses, the safety of lives and properties is the major responsibility of the government. And I see no reason why anybody should say no to Amotekun”.
The Secretary-General of Committee for Defence Human Rights ( CDHR), Comrade Olayinka Folarin said that Amotekun was a reality that have manifested, insisting that it has come to stay.
His words: “If we don’t secure ourselves, nobody will secure us. This outfit is to complement the efforts of other security outfits. All people living in south west must support amotekun”.
The state Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimison who came earlier to see the security arrangement at the venue, said the command would always ensure the protection of lives and properties of the people residing in the state.
He said: “I am on routine visit. Everyday, I go round the metro to ensure that everywhere is calm; but I got intelligence reports that some groups yet unidentified are trying to protest or do rally and I just came around to talk to my men and place them to ensure that there is no breach of peace.
“Nobody told me. Nobody wrote to me of any protest. My own duty is to ensure that I come out to ensure that there is no breach of peace, that law abiding citizens go about their business unhindered.
The police boss said: “My advice is to everyone. Anyone who has to go about protesting as it is the right of every citizen as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“We are here to ensure that nobody harasses, intimidates or cause a breach of peace and go on wanton destruction of properties, that we will not tolerate “, he said.
“I have seen my policemen. They are well placed, they have started strategically and I have no problem with them, they are basically here to checkmate anyone who wants to take laws into their hands and the law will descend on that person ruthlessly.”