OYO LAWMAKERS PUSH MAJOR REFORMS FOR AMOTEKUN, ANTI-GRAZING LAW

OYO LAWMAKERS PUSH MAJOR REFORMS FOR AMOTEKUN, ANTI-GRAZING LAW

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for extensive reforms to strengthen the operations of the state security network agency, Amotekun Corps, and enhance the implementation of the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, following a comprehensive review of both legislations.

The recommendations were contained in a report presented on Tuesday by an ad hoc committee established by the Assembly to assess the effectiveness, implementation challenges, and overall impact of the laws enacted to address insecurity, farmer-herder conflicts, and community policing across the state.

Presenting the report before lawmakers, the Chairman of the Committee and Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo, said the review was conducted in collaboration with the House Post-Legislative Scrutiny Unit with support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

According to him, the exercise included a three-day public hearing and stakeholder engagement session held between November 19 and 21, 2025, where submissions were received from government agencies, security institutions, farmers’ associations, herders’ groups, civil society organisations, and members of the public.

The committee noted that the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law has recorded measurable achievements since its enactment, particularly in reducing violent clashes between farmers and herders, safeguarding farmlands, and encouraging modern livestock management practices.

Stakeholders who participated in the review acknowledged improved protection for agricultural activities, while enforcement agencies such as the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority and the Amotekun Corps were credited with supporting compliance in areas where enforcement remains active.

Despite these gains, the report identified several challenges affecting the effectiveness of the law. Among the concerns raised were the concentration of enforcement structures in Ibadan and the absence of adequate monitoring mechanisms in many local government areas. The committee also observed that some structures provided under the law, including local government advisory committees, have not been fully established or operationalised.

The lawmakers further highlighted weak collaboration among security agencies, including Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. According to the report, overlapping responsibilities, communication gaps, and occasional mistrust have affected enforcement efforts.

Other challenges identified include inadequate funding, manpower shortages, poor logistics, and insufficient data on livestock populations, grazing routes, and ranch locations, which continue to hinder effective planning and implementation.

The committee also noted that disputes between farmers and herders still occur in some agrarian communities due to incidents of crop destruction, encroachment on farmlands, and inadequate grassroots conflict-resolution mechanisms.

As part of efforts to improve the effectiveness of the Oyo State Security Network Agency Law, 2020, the Assembly recommended several reforms aimed at enhancing accountability, professionalism, and operational efficiency within the Amotekun Corps.

Lawmakers urged the executive arm of government to fully constitute and operationalise the Independent Amotekun Complaints Committee as provided under Section 23 of the law to strengthen public confidence and prevent abuse of power by operatives.

The Assembly also called for improved registration and identification systems for personnel, regular training on human rights, community policing, and rules of engagement, as well as the development of formal agreements and standard operating procedures to strengthen collaboration with other security agencies.

In addition, the lawmakers recommended improved welfare packages, better logistics support, and enhanced operational tools to boost the effectiveness and sustainability of the Corps.

To support families of officers who die in active service, the House proposed the establishment of a framework for the payment of death benefits of not less than ₦2.5 million, with prompt disbursement to beneficiaries.

The committee further recommended that all departments provided for under the Amotekun Law be fully established and made functional.

To address identified legal gaps, lawmakers proposed amendments to the law to provide clearer recruitment, vetting, and training standards for personnel, harmonise conflicting provisions, and strengthen safeguards against political interference or misuse of the Corps.

Other proposed amendments include making the chairman and two members of the Amotekun Board full-time appointees, creating clearer procedures for public complaints, defining the limits of Amotekun's authority in relation to federal security agencies, and mandating periodic publication of reports by the Independent Amotekun Complaints Committee.

The Assembly also recommended a review of funding provisions by allocating a specific percentage of the Security Trust Fund to support the agency’s financial stability and operational capacity.

The committee concluded that while both laws have made notable contributions to security management and conflict resolution in Oyo State, strategic reforms, improved funding, stronger inter-agency cooperation, and targeted legislative amendments are necessary to ensure they remain effective in addressing evolving security challenges.