Breaking: Buhari declares Amotekun as illegal

The Federal Government has unsurprisingly fired back at Southwest's decision to establish its very own security outfit aimed at curbing insecurity within the region.



The Attorney Gneral of the Federation, Abubakar Malami disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, that the creation of Amotekun is unconstitutional, and therefore, illegal.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the AGF on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu, he said the outfit was illegal. The statement read in part,


“The setting up of the paramilitary organisation called Amotekun is illegal and runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian law.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has established the army, navy and air force, including the police and other numerous paramilitary organisations for the purpose of the defence of Nigeria.




“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 organisation 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) authorising the police and other Federal Government security services established by law to maintain law and order.”


In a recent opinion piece posted recently, it was established that the controversy arising from the creation of Amotekun would undoubtedly lead to an action by the presidency. Most of the opposition to the creation of Amotekun came from the North, with Miyetti Allah vowing to fight back should its members be targeted.

A group under the aegis of Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), was first to condemn the establishment of Amotekun calling it a threat to national peace and security, and that it is no different from IPOB, a group already proscribed by the Buhari administration.


What this recent move by the Buhari administration would mean to the Southwest, remains to be seen.