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Amotekun: Southwest states gear up for take-off

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– Set to recruit personnel – Osun plans to engage 720 – Public hearing on harmonised bill holds in all six states Monday

The Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Operation Amotekun has inched closer to take-off as the states prepare to recruit operatives for the outfit.
Various states in the region have also acquired operational vehicles including motorcycles as well as communication gadgets among other logistics, and also secured the offices for their operations.

Osun State alone is expected to employ 720 personnel.

The Houses of Assembly have already prioritised the passing of the bill and are only waiting for inputs from more stakeholders at public hearings to be held across the states next week.

In Oyo State, the government has donated a building in Ibadan to serve as the operational headquarters of the security outfit in the state. The building is located in Iyaganku area of the capital city.

The area also houses the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Southwest Zonal Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Besides, the state has also procured over 20 patrol vans, several buses and motorcycles to be used by Amotekun corps in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, confirmed the preparedness of the state for the take-off of the agency, saying that the building and vehicles had also been equipped with security and communication gadgets.

Adisa said the general template for Amotekun’s operation was ready, pointing out that the passage of the bill by the House of Assembly would clear the way for its implementation.

He added that recruitment and related activities would commence after the bill has been passed into law.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has slated public hearing on Amotekun bill for Monday, February 24.

Once the bill is passed and assented to by the governor, the security agency will take off.

It is entitled Bill for a Law to Establish the Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to assist in maintaining Law and Order in Oyo State and related matters.

The Assembly had pledged accelerated hearing for the bill in line with the joint commitment of the six Houses of Assembly in the Southwest Region.

Osun earmarks Olajokun Park for Amotekun operational base

The Osun State Government plans to use the Hassan Olajokun Park at Gbongan Junction in Ayedade Local Government Area as the operational base of the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps.

The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, said on the phone yesterday that although government is considering engaging about 720 operatives, the exact number of employees, entry qualifications and other details will be determined by the provisions of the bill.

But he said the government had not procured more operational vehicles apart from the 20 Hilux vans it contributed to the pool of the regional security outfit.

Recruitments for Amotekun begin soon in Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government said yesterday that the recruitment of personnel into the State’s Amotekun Corps would commence as soon as possible.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, told The Nation that the recruitment exercise would commence once the bill was signed into law.

The bill was passed into law penultimate Friday by the State House of Assembly.

According to Oyebode, the recruitment exercise would be thorough to ensure that only people of impeccable character and unquestionable integrity are recruited, saying the composition of the personnel would determine the success of the security outfits.

He said: “You are aware that the House of Assembly just passed the bill, which is still awaiting governor Fayemi’s assent.

“So, Mr. Governor’s assent will come any moment from now. And it’s after his assent that the issue of recruitment will follow. It’s then several other things will be unfolded because they are operational matters.

“Definitely, the headquarters will be in Ado-Ekiti but the base may not be made known now. The full details will be made known after the governor’s assent.”

He said the state has already procured 20 vehicles and other security gadgets to aid the work of the outfit.

Ogun Assembly seeks insurance cover for corps

Members of the Ogun State House of Assembly are keen to provide for ‘befitting and compulsory insurance cover’ for personnel of Amotekun Corps in the bill now before them.

The Bill “HB.NO 035/OG/2020- seeks to Establish the Ogun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps to assist in maintaining law and order in the State and for connected purposes.

The legislators, while debating the bill, said it was targeted at devising a community policing scheme to complement and collaborate with existing security agencies.

They added that the Amotekun Corps, when operational, would reduce crimes to the barest minimum in the state, the South West and the nation at large.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, told The Nation in Abeokuta that until the process for the establishment of the corps was concluded and the contents of the bill determined, it would amount to guess work to say what should be the qualifications of those that would be recruited into the corps or the take-off date.

But he was confident that by next week, significant progress would have been made, and when the Bill is passed by the state legislators and subsequently signed into law by the Governor, everything about Amotekun Corps in Ogun State would take a definite shape.

Lagos to amend Neighbourhood Safety Corps law to create Amotekun corps

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday commenced the process of amending the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law 2019 to accommodate a section for Amotekun Corps.

The House took the first and second reading of the bill at plenary on Thursday and committed the bill to the Committee on Information, Publicity, Security and Strategy to report back to the House sine die

The House is to hold public hearing on the bill on Monday.

The Amotekun Corps, when operational, is to take charge of security at borders, forests, highways and the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure protection against hoodlums, kidnappers, cattle rustlers, bandits, etc.

The Corps can also collaborate with other security platforms in neighbouring states to ensure strengthening of security network in Lagos and such other states.

The Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni, had informed the House that he received a letter from the state’s Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Moyosore Onigbanjo, on Wednesday on the amendment of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency Law (LNSC), 2019.

The House subsequently took the first and second reading of the Bill entitled a House of Assembly Bill No. 5 Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) Amendment Bill 2020 and for connected purposes.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1)  said that the bill though  an executive one , was predicated on the private member bill that established LNSC, which he said has been working well.

Agunbiade added that the bill incorporated the concept of a more dynamic and strengthened security platform than what currently obtains in Lagos State before.

He said: “The law only needs amendment to energise and strengthen the law owing to various challenges currently confronting the state and the South West region.

“It tries to create a unit out of the LNSC to be referred to as Amotekun Corps to take charge of security in certain areas such as in the forest, highway and other places to protect us against hoodlums, cattle rustling, kidnappers, herdsmen, bandits and others.

“The Amotekun corps is to take charge of security in borders, forest, highways, nooks and crannies of the state to be sure we are protected against hoodlums, herdsmen, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, bandits etc.”

The bill provides for a commander for Amotekun Corps who will be a retired police or army officer, and would bear arms with the approval of the police. “They will cooperate with other security platforms in Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti and Osun States,” he said.

Ondo set to pass bill on Monday

The Ondo State House of Assembly is expected to pass the Amotekun Security bill on Monday.

The lawmakers   cut short their recess last Tuesday to expedite fast track the passing of the bill.

It was committed to the House Committee on Security on Wednesday following a robust debate on the benefits of the bill when passed into law.

The clerk of the Assembly, Bode Adeyelu, had earlier read a letter from the executive on the need to establish the security agency in order to assist in maintaining law and order across the state.

Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun commended his colleagues for cutting short their recess for the second time to attend to state matters.

The Speaker urged them to give the bill the desired attention in view of its benefits to the people.

Also, the Majority leader of the House, Jamiu Maito noted that the bill when passed into law would assist in reducing social vices in the state.

The bill was then committed to the House Committee on Security for proper scrutiny.

A public hearing on the bill is to be held on Monday to receive more contributions from the public.

Governor Akeredolu through his Special Adviser on security matter, Alhaji Dokumo said recruitment of personnel for the outfit will commence any moment from now.

Already, the state government had purchased 20 Vehicles and 100 Motorcycles for the use of the security outfit personnel.

The Western Nigeria Security Network was launched in Ibadan by Governors in the South West States, on January 9, as a way of confronting security challenges in the zone.

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Update : police tracks down mastermind of railway vandalism, recovers load of stolen Materials in Plateau, Says Opeifa

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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had a major breakthrough recently it its efforts to apprehend the vandals of its critical assets across the country.
Towards this end, the Corporation’s police Command has arrested one Musa Abdullahi, aka Major aged 32, a notorious receiver and kingpin of vandalized railway materials, in Kaduna.
The arrest was a major success recorded by the Corporation in its campaign against the vandalisation and theft of railway materials, just as it intercepted a trailer loaded with railway components In plateau State.
In Kaduna, operatives of the Nigerian Police, Railway Command, arrested the suspect around the Rigasa area.
His arrest followed intelligence reports on the vandalism of electrical installations along the Mando–Rigasa corridor on Tuesday,14th October 2025.
Investigation is ongoing, and the case will be charged to court on conclusion.
In Plateau State, operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command, intercepted trailer conveying large quantities of railway materials along KM 822–823, Foromaxis, in the early hours of Tuesday, 14th October 2025.
The truck, which was abandoned by its driver who fled the scene, was successfully towed to the Jos Railway Police Station on Wednesday, 15th October 2025.
Investigation is on going to uncover and apprehend all individuals connected to the theft.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, commended the Nigeria Police for their professionalism, intelligence-led operation, and swift action in handling both incidents.
He described the arrests and recovery as clear evidence of the renewed synergy between the Corporation and security agencies in protecting critical railway infrastructure across the country.
Dr. Opeifa reaffirmed the Corporation’s resolve to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security formations to ensure that vandals, receivers, and collaborators are brought to justice.
He emphasized that such criminal acts amount to economic sabotage, warning that the NRC Management will continue to pursue zero tolerance for vandalism through enhanced surveillance, community engagement,and intelligence sharing.
Opeifa further appealed to residents of communities hosting railway facilities to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movement around rail installations.
He noted that the railway system remains a major driver of national development and urged the public to view its protection as a shared responsibility.

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Update : TINUBU DEPARTS ABUJA FOR AQABA PROCESS MEETING IN ROME, SAYS ONANUGA

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President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, October 12, for Rome, the capital of Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting, with special focus on the security crisis in West Africa.

The meeting, which will begin on October 14, will bring together Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and military officials from African countries, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations to discuss the evolving security challenges in West Africa.

The Aqaba Process Meeting is a counter-terrorism initiative launched by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015. It is co–chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian Government.

It recognises the complex security challenges confronting West Africa, including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing crime-terror nexus and the increasing overlap between land-based terrorism in the Sahel and the maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

At the meeting, participants will exchange assessments of the current security landscape in West Africa and foster collaboration between regional and international partners to address cross-border security challenges. Participants will also develop strategies to counter the terror threat on land and the sea.

The meeting will discuss ideas on how to coordinate efforts to combat online radicalisation and disrupt digital networks that facilitate terrorist propaganda and recruitment.

In addition to attending the plenary sessions of the Aqaba meeting, President Tinubu will hold bilateral talks with other leaders to explore ways of addressing the rising security challenges across the subregion.

The President will be accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu–Ojukwu, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, and other senior government officials.

 

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2027 Election : All is set for the collapse of the PDP in Enugu As Mbah, Others Join APC

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…..Gov, lawmakers, party executives exit party enmasse

……Uncertainty over Suswam’s, ex-NAFDAC boss’ defection in Benue

…….PDP kicks, says govs being intimidated, coerced to defect

……Put your house in order, we’re not architect of your woes – APC

In a manner reminiscent of the defections that occurred in Delta and Cross River states earlier in the year, Governor Peter Mbah and all elected and appointive officers of the state are set to formally defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday next week.

The newly inaugurated Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, confirmed the development to newsmen at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja after taking the oath of office yesterday.

He made the disclosure during a press briefing by the newly inaugurated Enugu State Caretaker Committee.

Describing Mbah’s defection as the dawn of a new political era for Enugu and the Southeast region, Nwoye said the governor’s coming into APC would be “a merger between transformation and renewed hope.”

“For the past 10 years, Enugu State has remained in opposition. But all that ends on Tuesday when Governor Peter Mbah declares for the APC. And he is not coming alone,” Nwoye said.

According to him, the defection will signal a “historic alignment” as Mbah will be joined by 260 councillors, 24 state lawmakers, National Assembly members, and the entire state executive council—an unprecedented political realignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Where Enugu goes, the Southeast goes. This marks the beginning of the Southeast’s political reawakening and full integration into national politics,” Nwoye said with a tone of confidence.

Commending the Governor Mbah’s performance in his last two years in office, Nwoye, who was the founding state chairman of the party, noted that his economic and infrastructural reforms had elevated the state to one of Nigeria’s top-performing states in internally generated revenue.

He added that the synergy between Mbah’s Transformation Agenda and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Vision would accelerate development and economic growth across the Southeast.

APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who inaugurated the seven-man caretaker committee for the party in the state, had earlier hinted of moves by the APC to strengthen its foothold in the Southeast.

The APC chairman charged the new Enugu leadership to consolidate the shock defection into a “lasting political conquest”

“APC is home for all. The person who came yesterday, today or tomorrow has equal rights.

Nigerian government services
Private refinery investment Nigeria
Digital trade agenda investment
“Our goal is simple: to expand, to win, and to deliver overwhelming victory in 2027,” Yilwatda said.

APC’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, who is from the state, said the political development in the state marked the return of the Southeast region to national relevance.

“We will no longer play second fiddle. With Enugu in APC, the Southeast has found its voice again,” he declared.

Uncertainty over Suswam’s, ex-NAFDAC boss’ defection in Benue

There were strong rumours yesterday that Suswam, Orhii who currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives representing Agatu/Apa Federal constituency, Hon. Ojema Ojotu and former Benue North East Senator, Prof. David Iornem were set to join the APC in Benue State.

This was in spite of a statement issued by the media aide to Suswam dispelling the rumour that his boss had defected from PDP to the ruling party.

Banners and signposts announcing their official defection and pre-decamping dinner adorned major roads and streets in Makurdi, the state capital, yesterday.

It is the first time Suswam would defect to another party since joining politics in 1999.

The black cat, as the former governor is widely known first won an election to represent Katsina Ala, Logo and Ukum Federal Constituency in the House Representatives on the platform of the PDP.

After eight years in the House of Representatives, he was elected the governor of Benue State for another eight years also on the platform of PDP.

His first bid to go to the Senate, however, ended in a fiasco as he lost the election. He, however, made a second bid and won election into the Senate.

He had remained in PDP even after losing his re-election bid until yesterday when the news of his defection broke.

There was jubilation from Suswam’s massive camp of supporters yesterday on hearing that the former governor had defected to APC.

In Anyiin his country home and Ayilamo settlement, there was dancing and singing throughout the day, with shouts Dom Agya as Suswam is known in his ancestry home.

At press time yesterday, he was locked in a meeting with his supporters.

Our correspondence learnt that the meeting was meant to deliberate on the date for the defection ceremony.

But the media aide to Senator Suwswam, Bede Bartholomew, yesterday denied the claims that his boss had defected to APC.

Bartholomew however admitted that Governor Hyacinth Alia two days ago extended an invitation to Suwswam and other leaders for a banquet with him at Government House Makurdi.

A press statement he signed and made available to our correspondent yesterday reads: “Moments ago, I received telephone calls from well-meaning Benuelites and leaders alerting me to trending news on Benue’s social media space purporting that the former governor of Benue State, His Excellency Senator Gabriel Torwua Suswam, is set to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today and would be received by the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia, this evening at the Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House.

“I debunk this unholy rumour with all vehemence as it doesn’t represent the current interests of Senator Gabriel Suswam or that of his supporters across the state and should be treated as a mere rumour and that’s all.

“What I know is that two days ago, the Governor of Benue State HE. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia respectfully extended an invitation to Sen. Suswam, among other stakeholders, expressing his desire to attend a State Banquet slated for 10th October, 2025.

“It should be noted that as a former Governor of the State, Suswam is a stakeholder in the Benue project, thus his reason for accepting the invitation.

“There was no indication in the invitation letter that it was a political event or a decamping ceremony whatsoever.

“The former governor advises his supporters and well-wishers to disregard this rumour as it is baseless, aimless, and a lie from the deepest pit of hell.

“Suswam appreciates everyone who called in for further enquiries and concerns and wishes everyone a happy weekend ahead.

Defections: Blame no one for your woes, says APC as PDP kicks

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing the opposition party of being responsible for its woes as more of its members are dumping it for the governing party.

This came on the heels of plans by the PDP governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, and the entire elective and appointive officers of the state to defect to APC on Tuesday.

The PDP had on Thursday blamed the wave of defections from the party on APC, accusing the ruling party of engaging in intimidation and coercion of its elected members.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, while reacting to reports of the planned defection of some governors elected on the platform of the party to the APC, accused the ruling party for its misfortune.

“The APC is orchestrating all of this through intimidation, through coercion, through blackmail,” he said.

But APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, waved off the PDP allegation, insisting that the opposition party was only crying over a self-inflicted problem.

Dismissing the PDP allegation, Morka said: “The PDP continues to ridicule itself by the boring, repetitive and baseless claim that APC is, somehow, intimidating or cajoling its governors and other senior members to dump their wreck of a party.

“The PDP is the sole maker of its own political predicament. The party is only harvesting well-deserved adversity from decades of political recklessness, mindless corruption, ruthless desecration of democracy, disgraceful failure of leadership, and destructive impunity that characterised its existence.”

Justifying the defection to APC, Morka argued that “the governors and members that are dumping the party in their numbers are doing so in exercise of their free democratic will, and wisely so, to mitigate against the devastating fate that Nigerians will deal the party in the upcoming 2027 elections.”

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