Men and commanders of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, from Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ondo states held a walk on Thursday in Akure in honour of the late Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The Amotekun corps were joined by Akeredolu’s successor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, during the walk from the Cathedral area of Akure to the Governor’s Office.

Akeredolu died on December 27, 2023, after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer. He was aged 67.

As the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Akeredolu rallied his fellow governors from the six South-West states to form Amotekun as a regional security outfit in response to the escalating insecurity, particularly attacks on farmers and kidnapping by killer herdsmen.

Despite the initial opposition by the Federal Government, through then Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Akeredolu, led his fellow South-West governors to see the formation of Amotekun through.

During the walk on Thursday, Aiyedatiwa said South-West governors would continue to work together to ensure the continuity of Amotekun.

He said, “I can assure you that  Amotekun will be sustained because of its role in society; because the security of lives and property of the people of the South-West zone is very important to us; we will use whatever is in our possession to support and sustain it.”

He commended the Amotekun corps and commanders for honouring Akeredolu, “whose passage was a monumental loss to the state and Amotekun as a whole.”

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the commander of the Ondo Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said Akeredolu would continue to be remembered for his legacy.

Adeleye, who is the Chairman of the South West Amotekun Commanders, appreciated the officers and men of the corps for their unrelenting efforts.

“We have met all the governors and all of them have shown their solidarity with the people of Ondo State.

“All the corps commanders travelled all the way from their various states today; that’s the essence of the 5km walk we embarked on today.

“The good work he (Akeredolu) did, mainly in the security system in South-West, is worth mentioning.

“We all knew what the security situation was before the creation of Amotekun; that’s about three years ago, and we are a living testimony to the fact that security in the South-West has greatly improved.

“We are resolute to continue the good work that he (Akeredolu) started. That’s our own contribution to immortalising him as our great leader.

“Akeredolu was resolute and sincere at making sure that Amotekun corps became a reality,” he said.

Also, the Corps Commander from Oyo, Olayinka Olayanju, pledged that the corps would continue to operate.

Punch