Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State disclosed over the weekend that more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, commonly known as Amotekun Corps, have lost their lives while combating insecurity in the state.
Makinde made this revelation during a visit to the families of pupils and teachers who were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. The governor called for unity in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims, emphasizing that the situation requires collaboration among all levels of government rather than trading blame.
“This is not the time to trade blame, whether it is the Federal Government, the state government or local government. This is the time to come together and rescue our children and their teachers,” he said.
He assured the affected families that his administration would continue to deploy every available resource to ensure the safe return of the abductees. Makinde also expressed sympathy for the families of victims and security personnel who have paid the ultimate price in protecting lives and property.
“For the Amotekun Corps, we have lost over 200 operatives. People may not know the sacrifices they make. They go into dangerous situations and many do not return. May God help us put an end to the bloodshed in our state and country,” the governor stated.
He noted that while residents have expressed frustration over the prevailing security challenges, the government remains committed to addressing the situation through sustained collaboration with security agencies. Makinde reiterated his support for the creation of state police, describing Amotekun as a temporary response to growing security concerns in the absence of a constitutional framework for state policing.
Speaking earlier at a joint mega rally of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan, Makinde said the South-West states established Amotekun after efforts to secure approval for state police failed to materialize.
“We wanted state police. Since it was not forthcoming, we created Amotekun as a stop-gap measure to support existing security structures,” he explained.
The governor urged the Federal Government to take concrete steps toward addressing security challenges across the country, stressing that effective policing requires localized solutions and stronger community participation. Amotekun was established in January 2020 by the six South-West states as a regional security outfit to complement conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes.
