Regionalization of Non-State Security Agencies in Southwest Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges of “Amotekun”

Abstract

The necessity of policing by all actors, both the state and non-state, becomes more expedient in Nigeria societies characterized by diver's insecurities vices range from book-haram insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, herdsmen/ farmer clash, and ritual killing. The process of localizing security architecture is essential in Nigeria federation, so as tackled this menace of insecurities that have been threating the unity of Nigeria nation. This paper examines the modalities and theoretical insights of the operation Amotekun initiative in the Southwest Nigeria with a view to providing information on the prospects and challenges of the regional security network. Data was garnered basically from secondary sources. It is assumed that the criminality that have pervaded the southwest Nigeria could be reduce to minimal, if the initiative is well managed, and in extension, to the entire federation. The paper identified some challenges that may confront the initiative, which range from; unnecessary suspicion among the nations in Nigeria federation, conflict with other statutory security agencies, and using the initiative to settle personal discord among others. It recommends the need for legal framework from each states of the region for its establishment, operations and finance and appropriate synergy among all the tiers of government and agencies of government in security sector so as to achieve the ultimate goal of securing lives and properties. The paper concluded that operation Amotekun should be nurtured because there is nothing too big in securing the lives and properties of the citizen, which is the primary function of any government.

Need for closure and ethnic identification: The varied roles of cultural intelligence in a multiethnic group society

“…In addition, people largely support social groups that are established to fight for the interest of the ingroup (Olonisakin & Adebayo, 2017). For instance, Operation “Amotekun”, a security initiative by the Governors in the Southwest of Nigeria was largely supported by people of the Southwest because it is perceived as protective of the region from the infiltration of herdsmen and other security threats from the northern part of the country (Mashood, 2020; Odewale & Lamidi, 2020). In a society where there is group divide and group survival is made salient, CI would likely inform identification with and devotion to the ingroup cause to ensure its continued survival.…”

State Security Apparatus and Emergence of Regional Armed Security Architecture in Nigeria (2015-2021)

“…In 1986, in an effort to rehabilitate the battered image of the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Military Government of Nigeria, through its representatives at the state level, legally incorporated vigilante organizations into the country's police system (Basiru & Osunkoya, 2019). In support of these local security networks, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), head of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), opined that it is unwise for the entire nation to rely solely on the federal government for security, and that local initiative should be emphasized instead (cited in Odewale & Lamidi, 2020).…”

“…Meanwhile, there exists a sizable volume of literature accounting for the causes of the emergence and proliferation of regional security architecture. Most of these studies link the cause to the complicity of the Nigerian government, the administration's cavalier attitude towards the security provisions of the constitution, corruption, and the politicization of the system (Ugwueze, Ugwu & Omeje, 2018;Odewale & Lamidi, 2020;Ogbozor, 2016). However, the existing research has not empirically examined the character of Nigeria state and the proliferation of regional security architecture.…”