As insecurity continues to spread across parts of the South-West, many residents are increasingly asking a critical question: Where is Amotekun?
The question has gained prominence following recent incidents of kidnapping, attacks on rural communities, and the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. These developments have raised concerns about the capacity of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, to respond effectively to evolving security threats in the region.
Established by South-West governors to complement existing security agencies and provide community-based protection, Amotekun was initially hailed as a major step toward addressing local security challenges. The outfit recorded successes in tackling armed robbery, kidnapping, and other crimes in several states across the region.
However, the resurgence of violent attacks has led many stakeholders to question whether the outfit possesses the resources, personnel, intelligence capabilities, and operational autonomy required to confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
Security experts argue that Amotekun faces significant challenges, including inadequate funding, limited equipment, insufficient manpower, and coordination difficulties with federal security agencies. Others have called for reforms to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and rapid response mechanisms.
Community leaders and civil society groups have also urged South-West governors to reassess regional security strategies and strengthen collaboration among Amotekun, the police, local hunters, vigilante groups, and other stakeholders.
While state governments insist that security operations are ongoing and that Amotekun remains active across the region, growing public concern reflects the desire for more visible and effective action against kidnapping, banditry, and terrorist activities.
As communities continue to grapple with insecurity, the debate over Amotekun’s effectiveness is likely to intensify, with many residents demanding concrete results in the protection of lives and property across Yorubaland.
