The Oyo State House of Assembly has proposed sweeping reforms to strengthen the operations of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, and tighten the implementation of the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law following a comprehensive review of both legislations.
The lawmakers recommended far-reaching changes aimed at boosting security, improving accountability, enhancing operational efficiency and addressing emerging challenges in the fight against insecurity, farmer-herder clashes and other threats across the state.
The recommendations were contained in a report presented before the House by the Chairman of the Adhoc Committee and Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo.
The committee was set up following a resolution passed by the Assembly on April 17, 2025, to assess the effectiveness, implementation challenges and impact of the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, and the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) Law, 2020.
Hon. Onaolapo disclosed that the exercise was carried out in collaboration with the House Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit and supported by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
According to him, the review included a three-day public hearing and stakeholders’ engagement held between November 19 and 21, 2025, where submissions were received from security agencies, government ministries, farmers, herders, civil society organisations and members of the public.
The committee acknowledged that the Anti-Open Grazing Law had achieved significant success since its enactment, particularly in reducing violent clashes between farmers and herders, protecting farmlands and encouraging modern livestock management practices.
Stakeholders at the review also commended the efforts of enforcement agencies such as Amotekun and the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) in ensuring compliance with the law.
However, the committee identified several challenges hindering the full implementation of the law.
Among the concerns raised were inadequate enforcement structures in many local government areas, weak collaboration among security agencies, poor funding, shortage of personnel and insufficient logistics.
The lawmakers also observed that some structures provided for under the law, including Local Government Advisory Committees, were yet to be fully established.
The report further highlighted lingering disputes between farmers and herders arising from crop destruction, encroachment on farmlands and weak grassroots conflict-resolution mechanisms.
On the Amotekun Law, the Assembly recommended major reforms to improve professionalism, transparency and accountability within the Corps.
One of the key recommendations was the immediate constitution and operationalisation of the Independent Amotekun Complaints Committee as provided for under Section 23 of the law.
The lawmakers said the move would strengthen public confidence and prevent abuse of power by operatives.
The Assembly also called for stricter registration and identification procedures for personnel, continuous training on human rights, rules of engagement and community policing, as well as stronger collaboration between Amotekun and other security agencies through formal agreements and standard operating procedures.
The House further recommended improved welfare packages, better logistics and enhanced operational equipment for officers and men of the Corps.
In a major move to support families of fallen operatives, lawmakers proposed a death benefit package of not less than N2.5 million for families of Amotekun officers who die in active service.
The Assembly stressed that such benefits should be paid promptly to beneficiaries.
The committee also recommended that all departments provided for under the law should be fully established and made operational.
To close existing legal gaps, lawmakers proposed amendments to provide clearer recruitment, vetting and training standards for personnel, strengthen accountability mechanisms and prevent political interference in the activities of the Corps.
Other proposed changes include making the Chairman and two members of the Amotekun Board full-time appointees, establishing clearer channels for public complaints, defining the limits of Amotekun’s authority in relation to federal security agencies and making it mandatory for the Independent Amotekun Complaints Committee to publish periodic reports.
The House also proposed a review of the agency’s funding structure by allocating a specific percentage of the Security Trust Fund to strengthen Amotekun’s financial base and operational capacity.
The committee concluded that although both laws have significantly improved security management and conflict resolution in Oyo State, strategic reforms, stronger funding, better inter-agency cooperation and targeted legislative amendments are needed to keep them effective in addressing evolving security challenges.
