We will confront the entrepreneurs of the conflict and the enemies of our people, By Rotimi Akeredolu

Ondo State Amotekun

… in Nigeria, a country under threat from shameless conflict makers and bold armed non-state actors, the unquestionable authority of the state must be imposed. The law-backed state security services, whether in western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue or any northern state, must have access to the same sophisticated weaponry as the marauders. Everything else is a contradiction in terms.

Western Nigeria's security network, Amotekun Corps, in response, is no longer just the first line of defense, but the ultimate bulwark in protecting a way of life and a civilization. The efforts of our determined and valiant staff at Amotekun since its inception are to be recognized, encouraged and warmly commended. We all need to stand up right now to recognize their efforts.

For our part, we will continue to support the operational capacity of all state security agencies both in terms of equipment and the well-being of their personnel. The recent donation of 50 equipped patrol vehicles demonstrates our desire to be at the forefront of the fight against crime and crime because without a secure environment there can be no visible and sustained development.

Amotekun's body must be given the tools to carry out its now crucial and indispensable tasks. For centuries we have been warned that "a bad workman blames his tools", but in the case of Amotekun Corps, the workman is supposed to function without good tools. This is not only absurd, but also a dereliction of duty and a cause for disaffection. Dissatisfaction is induced by a feeling of injustice. The crisis of conventional wisdom is life-threatening and sweeping across the country. Therefore, it is unacceptable for the state to sanction different rules of engagement for different subnational governments.

Combating marauders committing crimes against humanity must empower subnational and regional authorities with the tools, the most sophisticated weapons available that marauders already have in abundance.

Without providing subnational security forces as a countervailing force, we have a crisis that strikes at the heart of the design and definition of the state itself. This is not just the definition of the state, the state itself is existentially threatened. The modern state is defined by treaties. The conception of the modern state beatified by these treaties confers on it “an indisputable monopoly of the means of violence, intimidation and coercion”.

It is clear that the country's current internal security framework is ineffective. The response of sub-nationals by creating their own structures is welcome, necessary and has become indispensable. Everyone must have the same access to outwit the criminals. Without nationwide uniformity, the threat to state cohesion will continue.

For this reason, in Nigeria, a country under threat from brazen entrepreneurs and non-s...