Reps Move To Give Amotekun, Ebube Agu Legal Backing

The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading, a bill seeking establishment of state security outfits that complement the operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The bill titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to Give Legal Backing to State Security Outfits to Complement the Nigeria Police Force and for Related Matters (HB. 1308) was sponsored by Oberuakpefe Anthony Afe.

The proposed law would give the Amotekun security network in the southwest and Ebube Agu in the southeast legal backing to operate.

Afe said the growing insecurity in the country and the need to secure communities called for additional manpower to complement the police.

According to him, as state and local governments devise measures and set up vigilantes that are not backed by law, there is the need for a law that will back the establishment of such state security outfits and provide regulations.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Constitution Amendment.