Hunters reject N13,500 pay for Operation Amotekun

Members of the Soludero Hunters’ Association (Sha) have rejected the proposed N13,500 monthly payment for personnel of the Amotekun security outfit.

The group, through its national president, Oba Nureni Anabi, said the six states, which formed the outfit, should reconsider the meager salary of N13,500 to be paid to members of the outfit.

Anabi said: “We are happy at the proactive move of our governors. They have shown good leadership qualities by launching the Amotekun security outfit. Now, we can sleep with our two eyes closed.

“We, the Soludero Hunters Association, will do our best to ensure that the outfit remains. “Having launched the outfit, I want a forum where all of us that would work in the outfit would meet ourselves.

“This is very important because as of now, we don’t know ourselves and this is very dangerous when we talk of security. This will enable us to familiarize and know one another.

“I heard that the Oyo State government alone purchased 33 patrol vans, while other states donated 20 vehicles.”

Agbekoya Farmers’ Association suggests N50,000

The Agbekoya Farmers’ Association has called for an upward review of the remuneration offered.

The president-general of the association, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola, also commended the governors for launching the outfit.

Okikiola said: “The Operation Amotekun is a welcome initiative by the governors but they do not have a concrete plan as regards recruitment of personnel. What kind of people will be recruited? Are they going to recruit those without any security experience?

“How much will they be paid monthly? You cannot pay someone who wants to confront armed criminals N13,500. Let us tell ourselves the truth, the Police cannot venture into the forests to confront these criminals.

“If the governors are serious, they should start with N50, 000 as monthly pay. This will motivate those who will be part of the outfit.

“If the governors do not want casualities, they (governors) should recruit personnel who have a background in security and can confront the armed criminals.”

States undecided on salary

The Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, provided clarification on the salary issue. He said the six South-West states are yet to agree on the remuneration to be provided.

He said, “we are meeting today again in Ibadan (Oyo State) and that is one of the agenda that would be jointly agreed on.

“All those to be employed should be rest assured that the states would remunerate them handsomely for their services. We are yet to decide on the amount to pay the personnel. All that you read on social media are not true.

“After our meeting in Ibadan today, we will jointly agree on a uniform amount to pay the personnel including the hunters, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, and Agbekoya that are ready to lay down their lives to ensure that our people in the zone sleep with their two eyes closed.

“But at the same time, I want to appeal to them to consider what they are about to do as service to humanity and not make the remuneration as their priority.

“The security of the lives and property of the people in the region is of paramount importance to the six governors, hence, this concept should be applauded.”