Lagos Assembly Passes Amotekun Law to Boost Security

The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed the Amotekun Corps Bill into law, formally integrating the regional security outfit into the state’s legal and institutional framework in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots security and enhancing collaboration among Southwest states.

The bill, which scaled its third reading on March 3, was enacted through amendments to the existing Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, allowing the incorporation of Amotekun as a specialised security unit with clearly defined powers, structure and operational scope. With the passage, Lagos becomes the latest Southwest state to domesticate the regional security initiative established by governors of the zone to complement federal security agencies.

Under the amended law, the Amotekun Corps will operate as a specialised arm within the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, mandated to assist in the maintenance of law and order across Lagos State. The legislation provides the legal backing for Amotekun operatives to carry licensed arms, subject to strict regulation, and to work in coordination with the Nigeria Police Force and other statutory security agencies.

Lawmakers said the amendment was necessary to align Lagos with the broader Southwest security architecture, following the passage of similar Amotekun laws in Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states. The harmonisation is expected to facilitate intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols and joint responses to security threats that cut across state boundaries, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crime.

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According to the provisions of the new law, the Amotekun Corps in Lagos will be overseen by a governing board responsible for policy direction, administration and accountability. The board will be chaired by a nominee of the Governor, while other members will be drawn from relevant security, justice and community-based institutions to ensure broad oversight and professionalism.

The law also clearly defines the operational limits of the corps. Amotekun operatives are empowered to prevent crime, gather intelligence, patrol neighbourhoods and apprehend suspects where necessary. However, suspects arrested by the corps must be promptly handed over to the police or other appropriate law enforcement agencies for investigation and prosecution, reinforcing the complementary role of Amotekun rather than positioning it as a parallel force.

During deliberations, lawmakers emphasised that the amended law includes safeguards to prevent abuse of power and to ensure respect for human rights. Provisions on recruitment, training and discipline were strengthened, with an emphasis on local knowledge, community engagement and adherence to established rules of engagement. Operatives are expected to undergo structured training to align their operations with national security standards.

Supporters of the bill argued that Lagos, as Nigeria’s most populous and economically strategic state, requires layered security arrangements to address emerging threats, particularly at the community level. They noted that while federal agencies retain constitutional responsibility for internal security, local and regional initiatives like Amotekun provide critical support through early intelligence, rapid response and community trust.

The passage of the bill is also seen as a response to persistent calls from residents and civil society groups for more visible and responsive security presence in neighbourhoods, especially in peri-urban and rural areas where conventional policing resources are often stretched.

With the bill now passed into law, attention is expected to shift to implementation, including the constitution of the governing board, development of operational guidelines and integration of Amotekun operatives into Lagos’ broader security strategy. The state government is also expected to intensify collaboration with neighbouring Southwest states to fully operationalise the regional security network.

The Lagos Assembly said the domestication of Amotekun reflects a commitment to proactive governance and cooperative federalism, leveraging regional solidarity to address shared security challenges while remaining within the bounds of the law.