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Amotekun:Bill For Legal Backing On Amotekun To Be Signed On February 14 – Governor Fayemi Says

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Ekiti Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Monday said the bill seeking legal backing for the Western Nigeria Security outfit code-named ‘Operation Amotekun’ initiated by the six Governors in the Southwest region would be simultaneously assented to on Friday, February 14.

Fayemi, who disclosed this while receiving proposal bill on Amotekun from Ekiti Attorney-General, Olawale Fapohunda, said the bill when enacted will give the security outfits legal strengthen for sustainability.

The governor said that the draft bill will be extensively discussed during the State’s Executive Council meeting on Wednesday for immediate transmission to the House of Assembly.

He pointed out that Amotekun was conceived by the six governors as a regional response to curb the scourge of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and all forms of criminalities facing the region.

He noted Amotekun was in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s security initiative on community policing primarily to curb the worrisome security challenges afflicting the country.

Fayemi debunked insinuation by those against the security outfit that it was targeted at a particularly ethnic group, noting Amotekun was not to give exclusive protection for Yoruba people but every law abiding residents in the region regardless of their tribe and ethnic affiliation.

“A lot of people have misconstrued about the essence of the Amotekun security network. It is not about an exclusive protection of indigenes of the South West.

“It is about safety and security of every person resident in the six states of the South West, regardless of where they might have come from.

“As long as their are legitimately and legally resident in every part of the states, we consider it our duty, we consider it our responsibility to protect them as long as their within the jurisdiction.

“Even though I have not read the bill , I am sure this is what this bill proposes. I am not sure the bill is for protection of Yoruba people living in the six states. It is going to talk on ensuring our highways are free from banditry ,armed robberies , kidnappers and all forms of brigandage.

“To that extent, it is a logical extension of the community policing initiative that President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to that the Inspector General of Police has already communicated to various police formations across the country.

“Together with my colleagues, we have promised ourselves that this bill will be given accelerated discussions in our various State Executive Council meetings this week and send it expeditiously to our various State houses of Assembly this week.

“Our discussion with our speakers who have been waiting for the bill to the extent that they are recalling some of their members from recess in order to give this bill accelerated passage in the various legislatures.

“Latest by Friday,14th February, 2020 the bill that hopefully will have been passed into law will be assented to simultaneously in the six states of the South West and will hope the team in charge of it will start the implementation of the Amotekun corps immediately,” he added.

While presenting the proposed bill, Fapohunda said the South West Houses of Assembly had promised to give the bill accelerated passage.

He added the proposed bill with about 38 provisions was painstakingly prepared with specifications from each of the states which outlined the operational guidelines for the security network.

“The Attorney-General of the six states have been working on an enabling legal framework to give Amotekun legal strengthen.

“All of us would present the bill to our various governors for subsequent discussions at our various state executive councils.

“We have proposed 38 various provisions in the bill, key provisions in the bill include the establishment of Ekiti State Security network agency including its functions and objectives, the creation and the composition of the governing board for the agency, establishment of ekiti state amotekun corps including powers, criteria for enlistment into the corps, and as well as several other needs.

“We have also included provision for independent amotekun corps complaints board. The purpose of the board is to provide an opportunity for our people to report instances or possible cases of abuse of power including violation of rights and corruption. We have also included copious provisions on the funding of the corps to ensure sustainability.

“And in line with the Fayemi led-administration’s policy of transparency and accountability, we would place a copy of this bill on the ministry of justice website by 5pm today to enable interested persons view the bill and possibly comment,” he said

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Photos: Dakore Akande And Timini Lay Father To Rest

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Nollywood siblings Dakore Akande and Timini Egbuson have finally laid their father to rest.

Earlier this year, actor, Timini Egbuson, had announced the passing of his father. He said he never thought he would start the year by saying RIP to his dad, and promised to continue to make him proud.

His sister, Dakore Akande, expressed how heartbroken she is, yet glad that he was free from pain. She expressed gratitude for the memories and laughter, the legacy of excellence that he instilled in them, and his love for music and looking stylish.

 

Timini father's burial

 

Taking to his Instagram page, Timini shared photos from his low-key burial ceremony, which was attended only by family.

In his caption, he revealed that they said their final goodbyes as he bade his father farewell. The popular actor said his father’s strength and love will always guide them.

“We said our final goodbyes. Rest well, Papa. Your strength and love will always guide me”.

 

Timini father's burial

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US Mission Decries Horrific Kwara Massacre, Pledges Support For Tinubu’s Security Strategy

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The United States Mission in Nigeria has condemned the horrific and senseless attacks in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State that reportedly claimed over 160 lives.

In a statement released on February 6, 2026, the U.S. expressed its condolences and backed President Bola Tinubu’s immediate security and humanitarian response.

JomogNews reports that while the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.

In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.

“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.

It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.

“We welcome President Tinubu’s order to deploy security forces to protect villages in the area and his directive to federal and state officials to provide aid to the community and bring the perpetrators of this atrocity to justice,” the statement added.

The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.

Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.

 

 

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Nigeria Will Not Bow To Extremism Following Kwara Attacks – President Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu has vowed that Nigeria will never surrender its people to terrorism or extremism following a deadly massacre in the Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in a statement he personally signed and issued to State House correspondents.

The President, who described the attack as particularly disturbing, vowed that those responsible would be “pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.”

His statement read:

“Today, I met with the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq @RealAARahman, to be debriefed on the incident in Kaiama LGA.

“I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in their doomed campaign of terror. Their actions offend our humanity, our faith, and our shared values as a nation.

“Yesterday, I directed the immediate deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State following the horrific attack on innocent villagers in Worro. This new military command will spearhead Operation Savannah Shield to checkmate these barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities.

“It is particularly disturbing that the victims were killed because they rejected an attempt at forced indoctrination. As I said, “It is commendable that the community members, even though Muslims, refused to be conscripted into a weird belief that promoted violence over peace and dialogue.” Nigeria will never surrender its people to extremism and terrorism masquerading as faith.

“I have further directed close collaboration between federal and state agencies to provide immediate support and relief to the affected community and to ensure that those responsible for this atrocity are pursued and brought to justice, just like other terrorists before them. They will not go scot-free.

“I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. I also sympathise with the people and government of Kwara State. The Federal Government stands with you. We will protect our communities, defend our values, and defeat those who seek to divide us through terror.”

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