BY NIYI ABORISADE
I first came across the title ‘the Bottled Leopard’ over many years ago in a book written by the Nigerian writer, Chukwuemeka Ike.
Leopard means ‘Amotekun’ in Yoruba language. It is also called the black Panther known by his characteristic spots that can never change. It is also known for its ability to jump on its prey when it is least expected.
In the book ‘ The Bottled Leopard’, the author described how a young boy inherited the spirit of his ancestors that can transform themselves to Leopard and hunt in the Night. The young boy started having strange dreams until it was discovered by a renown ‘Dibia’ that he possessed the spirit of his ancestors and the Leopard in him has to be bottled up until the needs for its uses arise. This eventually came to being when a wild pig was destroying the farm of his father. The bottle Leopard was let loose and he killed the invaders of his father’s farm and liberated the farm from the wild animals.
The Five Governors of the South Western Nigeria could not have chosen a better name than ‘Amotekun’ to demonstrate the strength and hunting skills of the beautiful Leopard that cannot change its spot. Indeed, the Leopard has been bottled for so long which made many people to think they are either weak or coward. Even in the days when the June 12 1993 presidential election of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was annulled, the Leopard remained inside the bottle and General Ibrahim Babangida got away with it. Abacha seized government of Chief Ernest Shonekan, (Interim president from South West between 26 August 1993 – 17 November 1993) and got away with it. So, there was the general views that the Leopard of the South West will remain inside the bottle forever.
As it is well known that all cats are very clever animals that take their time wisely before latching on their prey. It is not borne out of fear. I remember many years ago when some small rats invaded our neighbour’s house and they brought Cat to the house, the Cat only made small noise and the Rats were so scared to the extent that five of the Rats ran inside a bottle to protect themselves and were unable to come out of the bottle. They were left there for a while before they were killed.
A lot has been happening in the South West recently, the invasion of the herdsmen and their Cattle destroying their farms and produce, the Fulani kidnappers that were so audacious to kidnap one of the leaders of Yorubas (Chief Olu Falae). Kidnapping in the South West was so rampant last year to the extent that the convoy of a State Governor was ambushed and it was only the superior firepower of his security team that sent the invaders away. The daughter of their leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Olufunke Arakunrin was assassinated by the marauders last year. The people of the South West cried and their lamentation reached their leaders. They must act before their land is taken over and destroyed by the marauders. They held series of meetings and when it was apparent that the Federal Government cannot provide security for the people, something has to be done.
They came to a lasting solution of using their people to provide security. They rolled out Vehicles and Motor cycles with the inscription of ‘Amotekun’ as the new power that will not allow the invaders and criminals to operate again. The noise of ‘Amotekun’ is already creating terror in the kingdom of the criminals, kidnappers, marauders and the invaders.
The first reaction came from the people who knows that it will be difficult to operate and practise their criminal acts in South West again. For the first time, the South West is ready to defend themselves and protect their own.
People from other regions started praising this ingenious and courageous move from the Yorubas and encourage their people to emulate it. The Federal Government represented by President Buhari who is known to be a sectional leader was not happy. He sent for the governors to explain the reason behind ‘Amotekun’. They gave him credible explanations and told him plainly that there is no going back. One of the governors, ( Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State) had his P.hd in War Studies at the famous Kings college, University of London. He understands counter insurgency very well. He informed the president that the operation has come to stay. It was explained to the president that it was not different from the Civilian Joint Task Force (combination of military and civilians) that is fighting Boko Haram and the Viligante operating in the Northern region. The Hisbah Police are in Sokoto, Katsina and Nasarawa States. Operation Amotekun was launched with fanfare. The governors and notable kings and people were present and the spirit of their forefathers was with them.
The Federal Government under Buhari declared it unlawful after few days of launching through a statement from the office of the Attorney of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
One of the laws of Natural Justice is self defence. It means everyone has right to self defence. For example, if a thief jumped into your house, you have right to resist such with force. Now, if group of people come together to defend themselves from criminals, how is that unlawful? Many people have private security guards in their homes and it is lawful to do so, why is it unlawful for states to provide their own security when the Federal Government has failed?
Section 20 of the Nigeria Constitution states ” The State shall protect and Safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria”. State was defined under section 318 of the 1999 constitution and it includes States and local Government. The States therefore has a duty to protect the environment which includes the people as well and to safeguard the water, Land and Air , this cover not allowing invaders and marauders to take over their land and water. It is a matter of Security .
The declaration by the AGF that the Security outfit known as Amotekun is illegal is therefore not correct. The AGF is to uphold the law and not make law.
It appears there are other reasons which are unconnected with the constitution for the AGF outbursts. It is crystal clear that Amotekun will circumvent the Ruga Settlement or the Colony since there appears now to be a force that can stop the invaders and the leather weapons of mass attack by the invaders is no longer possible.
A chain of reaction is bound to follow and the Federal Government must be careful on this matter when dealing with the lives of the people of South
West. They should remember and learn from ‘Operation wet e’ of 1965 that led to the first coup in Nigeria. The dice is cast.
Niyi Aborisade is the President of Nigeria Movement for Positive Change (NMPC) and a UK based Legal Practitioner
