Soyinka On Insecurity: I Had Given Up On South-west Governors Until Launch Of ‘Amotekun’

Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, has described the south-west regional security outfit as an unexpected New Year present.

On Thursday, governors of the south-west states launched Amotekun, the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The six state governors had constituted the outfit to tackle challenges of insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry in the region.

Speaking in Lagos at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian civil war, Soyinka said he had given up on the governors until the initiative came up.

The renowned writer said the security outfit will respond to the yearnings of the people in the region.

“To thank a number of public-spirited,
humanity-considering governors in this nation, who finally responded to the demand and yearnings of the citizens and produced one organization called Amotekun,” Soyinka said.

“It’s one of the most unexpected because I had given up on them; it is an unexpected but at the same time a desirable New Year Present.”

Speaking at the launch, Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, said he and his colleagues would go any length to ensure their people sleep with both eyes closed.