AMOTEKUN: LEA As Toothless BullDog » Editorial » Naija TODAY News Online Stance.

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Naija TODAY News Online

Nigeria is no doubt a corporate entity and current democratic country which her programmes and policies are being carried out in line with adherence to the provisions of the adopted written constitution. Suffice to say that any matter, unexpected circumstances and phenomena that have no basis nor encapsulated provisions in the constitution are anticipated to be treated with common sense, traditions, intuition, legislative provisions and judicial precedents respectively.

No doubt that the constitution makes provisions for the legal existence and operation of the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) who are in the position to protect lives and properties of the masses against external assailants, the LEAs which are constitutionally characterised as Nigerian Police Force(NPF), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce and DSS are duty bound to do the needful in ensuring protection of lives and properties.

Despite the legal backing and adequate funding of the LEA, it becomes disheartening, pathetic and worrisome that they have become the toothless bulldogs which can only bark but can not bite!, why?, their weakness, failure and inability to carry out the constitutional duties have given room for insecurity to thrive.

The subject matter that calls for discussion and attention of all and sundry is 'why insecurity when there are capable and legal Law Enforcement Agencies'?, some analysts are of the opinion that some factors are contributing to the state of insecurity in the country, they opined that high cost of governance and attraction giving to politics is one factor among all.

Moreover, politicians and Public Office Holders' inability to fulfil the promises made during the electioneering campaigns are no doubt responsible the scenarios, imagine what happens when government cannot provide jobs for the teaming youths, cannot make an enabling environment to thrive for entrepreneurship and other dividends of democracy among others.

However, Southwest geo-political zone is one of the zones in Nigeria that is currently being ravaged by insecurity that is characterised by kidnappings, armed robberies, terrorism, Fulani Herdsmen's palava and other respectively.

When the Law Enforcement Agencies cannot carry out the constitutional roles to nip the challenges of insecurity in the bud,the governors managing the affairs of the respective states in the region can't sit down helplessly and watch their masses being killed, raped, robbed them of properties and sleep with no two eyes closed.

Their collaboration on Development Agenda for Western Nigeria(DAWN) has no doubt been yielding positively and progressively for the region, and one of the concerted efforts made to improve the security was the introduction and inauguration of 'Operation Amotekun' that is codenamed 'Western Nigerian Security Networks' as pseudo military outfits meant to provide adequate security to indigenes and non-indigenes residing within the geo-political zone.

Truth be told that its inauguration came at a material time the region is battling with the challenges of the insecurity but it is significant and noteworthy to state and ask that 'has its emergence had any any legal backing?'.

Similar pseudo military network named 'HISBAH' had rooted in Kano State,when their leaders were arrested based on the directives and order of President Olusegun Obasanjo, the matter was no doubt prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction and having acknowledged that the Kano State House of Assembly had passed bill that necessitated its legality, they had no option than to release the detained leaders.

Southwest is home of western education in Nigeria where knowledge, wisdom, skills and ingenuity to govern the affairs of the country spring up, if Operation Amotekun should be inaugurated with no legal framework, it means the stakeholders have technically erred to the law of the land.

They should not be ashamed nor feel timid to the needful, though its inauguration cannot be jointly legislated, each House of Assembly can do the needful to enhance its constitutionality and acceptability devoid of destructive criticisms.

If the notable things regarding its legality are taking into absolute consideration, there are no reasons for anybody no matter highly placed to make its mockery.