𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐤𝐮𝐧 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐎𝐲𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐋𝐒 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐲

Traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in Oyo State have called on the State House of Assembly to establish a Special Welfare Scheme for personnel of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, to enhance their effectiveness and motivation.

The call was made on Thursday during the Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) inquiry on the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) Law, 2020, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan. The inquiry, organised in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), seeks to evaluate the performance of existing laws and determine whether amendments or stricter enforcement measures are required.

Representing the Speaker, Majority Leader Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin described the PLS process as an avenue for generating fresh ideas and filling gaps not covered in the original legislation. He assured stakeholders that all submissions and memoranda would be thoroughly reviewed in the interest of strengthening security operations across the state.

In his presentation, the Chairman of Amotekun, AIG Sikiru Akande (rtd), commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his sustained investment in the security sector. He highlighted the establishment of the Amotekun agency and the acquisition of two surveillance aircraft to monitor farmlands and forest reserves as clear demonstrations of the governor’s resolve to secure lives and property.

Akande noted that improved cooperation between Amotekun and the Nigeria Police Force has significantly enhanced intelligence gathering and information sharing.

Supporting the call for improved welfare, the agency’s Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), urged the Assembly to approve a 300% severance allowance for officers who have served eight to ten years. He also proposed a ₦2.5 million death benefit for families of officers who die in the line of duty, revealing that the agency has lost 17 personnel since inception.

Speaking on behalf of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Aseyin of Iseyin and Eleruwa of Eruwa, the Abese of Ogbomoso, Chief Kasali Yusuf, applauded the roles of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Governor Makinde in championing Amotekun across the South-West. The traditional rulers urged the Assembly to institutionalize a welfare package for Amotekun officers and directed that local government chairmen should provide functional offices to support security operations.

They also encouraged continuous collaboration between Amotekun and federal security agencies to strengthen intelligence networks across communities.

Coordinator of the PLS Unit, Mrs. Aderonke Ogundeji, praised Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin and the lawmakers for establishing the first Post-Legislative Scrutiny Unit in any Nigerian legislature, whether at state or national level. She noted that with support from WFD and NILDS, the unit is ready to share its experience with other state assemblies to strengthen legislative oversight and lawmaking.