The South-West Security Network (Amotekun) has declared that the region is fully prepared for the smooth takeoff of state police following the Senate’s passage of the bill.
Amotekun National Commander Adeleye Adegboye stated that the network already possesses the operational structure, trained personnel, and community intelligence framework needed to support state police formations. He expressed confidence that the South-West would lead in the successful implementation of the new security architecture once the bill becomes law. The development was welcomed by stakeholders in the region who have long advocated for decentralised policing.
Amotekun, established in 2020 as a regional security network in response to rising insecurity in the South-West, has gained significant experience in community-based intelligence gathering, crime prevention, and rapid response to localised threats. Its leaders believe the transition to state police will formalise and strengthen existing structures, allowing for better coordination, sustainable funding, and legal backing. The announcement reflects growing optimism in the South-West that state police will help address regional security challenges more effectively, including kidnapping, cultism, farmer-herder clashes, and armed robbery.
Adegboye emphasised that Amotekun operatives are already well-integrated into communities, possess local knowledge, and maintain strong relationships with traditional rulers and vigilante groups. “We have the manpower, the intelligence network, and the community trust. State police will only build on what we have already achieved,” he said. Stakeholders, including governors, security experts, and civil society groups in the region, have hailed the readiness as a positive development that could serve as a model for other geopolitical zones.
The passage of the State Police Bill in the Senate has been viewed as a landmark reform that addresses long-standing criticisms of the centralised policing system, which many argue is overstretched and slow to respond to regional peculiarities. In the South-West, where Amotekun has operated with relative success despite legal and funding challenges, the formal establishment of state police is expected to provide constitutional legitimacy, better equipment, and improved welfare for operatives.
However, concerns remain about adequate training, human rights safeguards, and prevention of political interference. Amotekun leadership has assured that the network will work closely with state governments to ensure professionalism and accountability. The development comes at a critical time when the South-West continues to battle various security threats, and stakeholders believe a well-structured state police will significantly reduce response times and improve overall safety.
The readiness declaration by Amotekun is expected to boost confidence among residents and encourage other regions to accelerate preparations for the new security framework. As the bill moves through the remaining legislative processes, the South-West’s proactive stance positions the region as a potential leader in the implementation phase of this historic reform.
