The Federal Government has declared a regional security outfit, Amotekun, formed by South-Western states as illegal.
The governors in the region launched the outfit last week in Ibadan, Oyo State, with many Nigerians lauding the initiative which the governors said was aimed at tackling increasing rate of kidnapping and other crimes in the region.
However, a statement on Tuesday from the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said setting up of the organisation “runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law.”
Citing provisions of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, the minister in the statement by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, insisted that security “is a matter that is within the exclusive operational competence of the Federal of Government of Nigeria.
“No other authority at the state level, whether the executive or legislature has the legal authority over defence.”
Mr Malami said the Constitution established military and paramilitary outfits to defend Nigeria and its citizens, pointing out that another arrangement outside of it was a nullity.
“As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.
“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal government security services established by law to maintain law and order,” he said.
Malami added: “The law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in ‘Amotekun’ or continuous association with it as an association.”
Malami said his office was not consulted before plotting the security network, adding that he would have advised against the exercise.
The governors, however, met the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who gave his blessings but warned that the outfit should not bear arms.
