When I was Amotekun chairman, personnel had no proper training, those in the POP only rehearsed - Togun

Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun (retd.), former Deputy Director-General of the State Security Service and ex-Chairman of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, has renewed his warning over the worsening security challenges in the South-West, expressing concerns about the activities of terrorists, bandits and insurgents in the region.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Togun said he had consistently drawn attention to what he described as the gradual infiltration of Yoruba land by criminal elements, but his warnings were largely ignored by relevant authorities and stakeholders.

When asked whether operatives of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps received adequate training to tackle insurgency and kidnapping during his tenure as chairman, Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun (retd.) expressed concerns over their level of preparedness.

He explained that although the law establishing Amotekun assigned recruitment and disciplinary responsibilities to the board, the commandant was allegedly handling most of the duties.

Togun acknowledged that the operatives were camped for about three weeks at St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, but argued that the training they received was insufficient.

According to him, the programme focused more on preparing participants for the Passing Out Parade rather than providing practical security training. He claimed that many operatives lacked proper knowledge of essential operations such as patrols and ambush tactics.

Togun stressed that for Amotekun to effectively perform its duties, there was a need to review the personnel structure, remove unsuitable individuals and strengthen the capacity of those who remained.

He said, "Yes, they were camped at St. Andrew’s College, Oyo. They had no proper training. What they had was a hogwash training. Those who participated in the Passing Out Parade were merely rehearsed for the parade.

They didn't attend lectures. Those who attended the lectures wondered whether they were actually being trained or simply on an excursion. They didn't have enough training to fight.

"What do they know about patrol? What do they know about ambush? They were not trained. For Amotekun to work, we've to purge the personnel and ensure the removal of undesirable elements. Then we can focus on the others."