The Amotekun Corps has launched a major operation in the South-West region, deploying over 2,000 personnel to tackle the rising wave of banditry and other criminal activities in the forests of the region.
Ogun and Osun states are at the forefront of this effort, with plans to recruit 1,000 new operatives each, while Oyo State, which had recruited 480 personnel in October 2024, is also bolstering its forces to combat banditry.
State commanders of the corps confirmed to journalists on Tuesday that additional recruits would soon be added to enhance the security network’s efforts against bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals hiding in the region’s forests. This operation comes in response to a surge in kidnapping incidents and other illicit activities attributed to bandits from the Sahel and other criminal groups.
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted the severity of crime across Nigeria, revealing that the South-West region recorded approximately 6.9 million crime incidents between May 2023 and April 2024, with the North-West region experiencing the highest levels of criminal activity.
To tackle the growing security threat, Ondo State Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, emphasized that “Amotekun rangers” have been deployed to flush out bandits from the forests. Adeleye, who also serves as the Chairman of the Amotekun Commanders in the South-West, called for greater support in the form of more advanced weapons and technological tools to improve intelligence gathering and tracking of criminals.
Similarly, the Ogun State Corps Commander, Brig-Gen. Alade Adedigba (retd.), confirmed that over 1,000 Amotekun personnel were actively pursuing bandits in the state’s forests. The state government, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, has mandated the recruitment of an additional 1,000 officers to strengthen the corps’ response to security challenges.
In Osun State, the Amotekun Corps plans to recruit 1,000 more operatives to complement the 320 already deployed. Osun’s Corps Commander, Adekunle Omoyele, reiterated the need for Amotekun personnel to be armed with sophisticated weapons to effectively counter the dangerous arms carried by criminals. Omoyele also advocated for the passage of legislation to authorize the use of advanced weaponry for the corps.
Oyo State has been proactive in addressing insecurity, having recruited and trained 480 forest rangers who have been deployed across 25 local government areas. Oyo Amotekun Commander, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), confirmed that border patrols have been ramped up in collaboration with community-based security groups to bolster security along the state’s borders.
Amotekun commanders across the South-West have also echoed concerns about the need for legal reforms to allow their operatives to carry more advanced weapons. Olayanju stated that although the state had been seeking approval for such weapons since 2023, the issue requires constitutional amendments.
In Ekiti State, Brig-Gen. Olu Adewa (retd.), the Ekiti Amotekun Corps Commander, noted that while the corps operates with a small team of just over 300 personnel, the state government is committed to recruiting more officers to tackle security challenges. The Ekiti government has also prioritized technological investment to enhance security and foster collaboration with federal agencies.
With the growing threat of banditry and other crimes, the Amotekun Corps in the South-West is increasing its recruitment and operational capacity to ensure the safety of citizens and restore peace to the region. The efforts of local governments and security agencies, in collaboration with traditional and community leaders, are expected to play a critical role in securing the region from the rising tide of criminal activities.
