Ogun, Osun, and Oyo Ramp Up Security with 3,000 New Amotekun Recruits to Tackle Bandits

The Amotekun Corps has mobilised over 2,000 operatives as part of an extensive operation to eliminate criminal elements, including bandits, from the forests of the South-Western region of Nigeria. This action comes in response to the alarming rise in criminal activities, particularly kidnapping and banditry, with a significant influx of criminals from the Sahel region and other rogue elements.

Ogun and Osun states are leading the charge, each planning to recruit 1,000 additional personnel, while Oyo State recently deployed 480 newly trained recruits in October as part of a broader security effort. State commanders have confirmed to The PUNCH that more recruits are expected to be added soon, aiming to bolster the South-West Security Network and intensify efforts against banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime.

A recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed a staggering N2.23 trillion was paid in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024, with over 51.89 million crime incidents reported across Nigeria. The South-West alone recorded 6.9 million incidents during this period, underscoring the urgent need for these operations.

In Ondo State, Amotekun Commander Adetunji Adeleye stated that the Amotekun rangers had already been deployed in the forests to flush out bandits using these areas as hideouts. He emphasized that the corps requires more support, including advanced weaponry and tracking technologies, to enhance operational effectiveness and intelligence-gathering capabilities. “There is no room for bandits in Ondo,” Adeleye asserted.

In Ogun, Brig-Gen. Alade Adedigba (retd.) confirmed the mobilisation of over 1,000 officers, with an additional 1,000 recruits soon to be deployed. He explained that the state government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, is taking decisive steps to address security challenges by continuously strengthening the corps.

Osun’s Amotekun Commander, Adekunle Omoyele, shared plans to recruit 1,000 new operatives in the near future, following a period of intensive training. He advocated for the corps to be allowed to carry more sophisticated arms to better confront the heavily armed criminals they face.

Meanwhile, Oyo’s Amotekun Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), highlighted the state’s success in deploying 480 forest rangers to combat criminal activities. Olayanju revealed that efforts to strengthen security include close collaboration with local community-based security groups and increased border patrols. Additionally, the deployment of intelligence-gathering tasks through traditional and local leaders has been a key strategy in preventing further criminal infiltration.

Amotekun officials across the region are increasingly advocating for the right to equip their forces with more advanced arms, with some commanders pointing out that existing laws restrict their access to powerful weapons, even as they face criminals armed with high-grade firearms.

In Ekiti State, where the Amotekun Corps operates with a smaller force of just over 300, plans are underway to increase personnel as the state government continues to invest in technologies and collaborations with traditional leaders to secure communities. Governor Biodun Oyebanji has also made efforts to align with national security forces, ensuring federal support in the fight against crime.

In these ongoing efforts, Ekiti has implemented a comprehensive strategy involving Agro Rangers, Peace Corps, and local patrols that provide vital insights into the terrain and ensure a proactive approach to protecting farming communities from bandits and kidnappers. The establishment of task forces and partnerships with federal military forces demonstrates the commitment to creating a safer environment for Ekiti’s people.

As the threat of banditry and criminal activity continues to escalate, the South-West’s coordinated security response is intensifying, with a growing need for advanced weaponry, technology, and resources to tackle the multifaceted security challenges facing the region.