Commander, Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun)
Paper delivered at NAOSNP National Security Conference, Exhibition and Awards at the Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday 21st October 2025
themed: AMOTEKUN’S STRATEGIC ROLE IN COMBATING INSECURITY: SECURING AND SAFEGUARDING NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC RESOURCES
By: The COMMANDER, ONDO STATE SECURITY NETWORK AGENCY, AMOTEKUN CORPS, AKOGUN ADETUNJI ADELEYE (FISN)
PROTOCOL
ABSTRACT
Security and the economy are inseparable twins in national development. Where insecurity thrives, economic productivity collapses. Nigeria’s vast economic potential, rooted in agriculture, natural resources, trade, and human capital, continues to suffer under the weight of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and resource theft. The Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, was conceived as a pragmatic regional response to this challenge.
This paper explores the strategic role of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps in combating insecurity, securing lives, and safeguarding economic assets. It presents practical field experiences, operational innovations, and collaborative approaches that have contributed to enhanced stability across communities. Furthermore, it outlines policy recommendations to institutionalize community-based security and ensure sustainable protection of Nigeria’s economic resources.
1. INTRODUCTION
Any inactions economic development is intrinsically linked to the level of peace and stability within its borders. Nigeria however cannot be an exemption from the oil-rich Niger Delta to the fertile lands of south west and some state in the north, insecurity has steadily eroded agricultural productivity, discouraged foreign investment, and displaced millions from their livelihoods. The rising wave of criminality, kidnapping, illegal mining, armed robbery, herder-farmer clashes, pipeline vandalism, and communal conflicts, has undermined the nation’s quest for inclusive growth.
In response to this persistent security challenge, the Southwest Governors conceptualized and established the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, in 2020. This initiative did not come to stay with initial challenge by the Federal Government. After several insistences by the Governors, Federal Government agreed the establishment of the Agency on a state by state bans. Hence, The Ondo State Amotekun Corps, was birthed, and in particular, has become a model of localized intelligence, community policing, and integrated response in Nigeria’s evolving security architecture. Its core mandate is to collaborate with other security agencies to protect lives, property, and economic assets while reinforcing the cultural values of discipline, service, and accountability.
This paper examines Amotekun’s strategic role in combating insecurity with specific emphasis on its contribution to safeguarding economic resources in Ondo State and, by extension, Nigeria. It combines policy analysis with real operational experiences, highlighting lessons, strategies, and recommendations for sustainable security management.
2. THE NEXUS BETWEEN SECURITY AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES
Security is the foundation upon which economic prosperity is built. The absence of peace breeds fear, deters investment, disrupts production, and triggers capital flight. Conversely, a secure environment stimulates trade, innovation, and enterprise.
Nigeria’s economy relies heavily on sectors that are highly sensitive to insecurity, agriculture, mining, transport, tourism, and commerce. In Ondo State, for instance, cocoa, cassava, and timber production form the economic backbone of rural communities.
Yet, insecurity in forest reserves and farmlands often disrupts agricultural cycles. Kidnappings along major highways such as Owo–Ifon, Akure–Ogbese, Akoko–Benin-Kogi, and Binin-Ore-Lagos not only endanger lives but also discourage farmers and traders from moving goods.
Amotekun’s presence across these critical sectors serves a stabilizing function, protecting human and material resources, restoring investor confidence, and enabling the state to harness its economic potentials. Thus, the Corps’ activities directly influence economic productivity by creating a safer space for both rural and urban enterprises.
3. THE GENESIS AND PHILOSOPHY OF AMOTEKUN
As earlier mentioned, the Western Nigeria Security Network was inaugurated on 9th January 2020 as a collective security mechanism for the six Southwestern states—Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo.
The founding philosophy of Amotekun is anchored on community security ownership and cultural intelligence, principles deeply rooted in Yoruba communal life.
Amotekun’s emblem, depicting the leopard, symbolizes courage, vigilance, and territorial protection. Its operations are guided by the Omoluabi Ethos, a moral compass emphasizing honesty, respect, and discipline.
The Ondo State Security Network Agency Law (2020) as amended provides the legal framework empowering the Corps to collaborate with other security agencies in crime prevention, intelligence sharing, and community safety initiatives.
The philosophy of Amotekun aligns with global models of decentralized security management such as Kenya’s Nyumba Kumi initiative and Ghana’s Community Policing Unit, India, Brazil, Colombia, the UK, USA and a host of other countries where citizens play an active role in intelligence gathering and local conflict resolution.
4. AMOTEKUN’S OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE AND LEGAL MANDATE
The Ondo State Amotekun Corps operates under a structured command system led by the State Commander and supported by Divisional Commanders, Intelligence Units, Operational Squads, and Special Task Forces. Each of the 18 Local Government Areas maintains an operational outstation with trained personnel familiar with the terrain and community dynamics.
Its legal mandate includes:
Assisting conventional security agencies in maintaining law and order.
Preventing and detecting crimes.
Protecting lives and property.
Apprehending interrogating and prosecuting offenders
Protecting farmers, herders, and rural dwellers from violent attacks.
Preventing illegal logging, mining, and environmental degradation.
Enforcement of anti-open grazing law of Ondo State:
The Corps also works closely with community leaders, traditional rulers, and vigilante groups, thereby integrating local intelligence into state-level security management.
5. PRACTICAL FIELD EXPERIENCES FROM ONDO STATE
The Ondo State Amotekun Corps has recorded numerous operational successes that underscore its strategic role in securing economic resources. Some notable cases include:Forest Security Operations and Farmer-Herder Mediation
The Corps introduced Forest Patrol Teams code named Amot Rangers across the Owo, Ifon, Ala, and Ondo South forest reserves, zones notorious for banditry and illegal grazing. These operations resulted in the recovery of hundreds of stolen cows, dislodgment of armed herders, and return of farmers to their abandoned farmlands. This directly revived agricultural productivity and boosted rural commerce.
In collaboration with community leaders and some organisations like Miyetti allah companies like GOR Ltd., Amotekun facilitated peace pacts between herders and farmers, establishing a community monitoring mechanism that drastically reduced clashes.
Highway Safety and Anti-Kidnapping Operations: Through coordinated patrols along all major roads in the State including Owo–Ifon, Akoko-Edo-Kogi, and Akure-Iju–Ogbese axes, Amotekun successfully rescued kidnapped victims, neutralized several criminal gangs, and restored commuter confidence. The Corps’ swift response and terrain familiarity have proven decisive in curbing kidnapping incidents.
Protection of Mining and Timber Resources: Illegal mining and timber logging previously caused substantial revenue loss to the state. Amotekun’s Operation Forest Shield led to multiple arrests of illegal loggers and confiscation of unlicensed equipment. This initiative not only safeguarded environmental assets but also revived legitimate forestry business, increasing government revenue.
Election and Community Conflict Management: During the 2023 and 2024 election periods, Amotekun provided crucial support as a stop gap, bridging the vacuum in the interiors for the sister security outfits by ensuring peaceful voting, preventing thuggery, and maintaining neutrality. The Corps also intervened in community disputes, mediating peace before escalation.
These experiences illustrate Amotekun’s adaptability, operating both as a tactical force and a social stabilizer.
6. STRATEGIC ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING ECONOMIC ASSET
Amotekun’s contribution to securing Nigeria’s economic resources can be analyzed across key sectors:
Agriculture: By securing farmlands, forest reserves, and farm routes, the Corps protects agricultural investments and ensures food security. Ondo’s resurgence in cocoa and cassava production is directly linked to reduced farm-related violence.
Commerce and Transportation: Safe roads encourage inter-LGA trade. Amotekun’s joint patrols with police and FRSC NSCDC along major trade routes have reduced robbery and vehicle theft, thereby enabling smoother flow of goods and services.
Natural Resources: Through monitoring of mining and logging activities, Amotekun curbs illegal exploitation, preserving the environments, and secures state revenues.
Tourism and Heritage: By effectively protecting the state, tourists are warmly at peace with the state. By this, the Corps indirectly contributes to the hospitality sector’s revival, supporting local economies.
Education and Human Capital: Amotekun ensures safety in schools through Operation Safe Schools, a proactive patrol system preventing abductions and cult-related violence in tertiary and secondary institutions.
7. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED
Despite notable successes, several challenges persist:Legal Ambiguities: Although state laws back Amotekun, constitutional policing powers still reside federally. This occasionally limits operational jurisdiction.Funding Constraints: Limited resources affect logistics, welfare, and equipment acquisition.Technology Gaps: Inadequate surveillance technology restricts intelligence depth.
Public Misconception: Some citizens still see Amotekun as a parallel police force rather than a complementary structure.Lessons learned include the value of local intelligence, discipline in command control, and synergy with traditional rulers and other agencies.
8. INTEGRATIVE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE AND MULTI-AGENCY COLLABORATION
Amotekun thrives on collaboration. The Corps maintains regular liaison meetings with the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, and the Military. These interactions enhance intelligence sharing and operational planning.
In Ondo State, the Security Council Meeting chaired by the Governor provides an institutional platform for aligning security operations. Amotekun contributes situational reports and community intelligence, aiding swift policy decisions.
Collaborative frameworks such as Joint Task Force Operations have yielded impressive results in dismantling forest-based criminal syndicates and recovering stolen assets. The Corps’ integration of traditional vigilante intelligence with modern command reporting exemplifies effective hybrid security management.
9. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE WAY FORWARD
For Amotekun and other state security outfits to sustainably secure Nigeria’s economic assets, several policy steps are necessary:Legal Harmonization: Amend relevant constitutional provisions to formally recognize state security outfits as integral components of Nigeria’s internal security framework.
Adequate Funding: Establish a State Security Trust Fund accessible to Amotekun for logistics, welfare, and technology procurement.
Technology Integration: Deploy surveillance drones, GPS-enabled patrol vehicles, and digital reporting systems to enhance field efficiency.
Capacity Building: Continuous training in counter-insurgency, intelligence analysis, and human rights for all operatives. Joint training with the existing training institutes must be encourage.
Public Enlightenment: Strengthen community engagement and feedback systems to build trust and cooperation.
Economic Intelligence Collaboration: Create inter-agency platforms to protect critical infrastructure—farms, pipelines, telecom networks, and markets.
Youth Engagement: Recruit and train local youth as security volunteers, promoting ownership and reducing unemployment.
Data-Driven Operations: Establish centralized crime databases to analyze trends and deploy resources intelligently.
10. CONCLUSION AND CALL TO SERVICE
Security is not merely a government function; it is a collective obligation. The sustainability of Nigeria’s economic resources depends on how effectively its people defend them. The Amotekun Corps, through discipline, innovation, and community partnership, has proven that localized security solutions can yield national benefits.
In Ondo State, farmlands that are once abandoned now flourishing; highways once dreaded now witness safe passage; and forests once infiltrated by criminals now serve productive ventures. These are living proofs that when communities take responsibility, development follows.
Amotekun’s model represents a call to serve—an embodiment of patriotism, courage, and unity of purpose. To secure and safeguard Nigeria’s economic resources is to guarantee the future of its people. Every stakeholder, from government to citizen, must rise to this task with renewed commitment and collective resolve.
Thank you, and God bless.