Experts Urge Integration of Amotekun, Vigilante Groups Into Proposed State Police

Security experts are urging lawmakers to revise Section 25(5) of the proposed State Police Bill. The provision would prevent existing regional and community security outfits, including Amotekun, Ebube Agu, Hisbah, Forest Guards and recognised vigilante groups, from being transformed into or integrated with state police services. The experts argue that excluding trained operatives could duplicate recruitment and training costs, delay the rollout of state police, and create security gaps. They note that outfits such as Amotekun have built experience in intelligence gathering, rural patrols, conflict de-escalation and cooperation with conventional security agencies. They propose a transitional integration framework rather than automatic absorption. Under the proposal, eligible personnel would undergo background checks, service-record verification, medical and psychological assessments, human-rights screening, firearms certification and mandatory retraining under nationally approved standards. The proposed framework would also require unified operating procedures, civilian oversight and periodic recertification to ensure professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights.

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