“As a consequence of this, no State Government, whether singly or in a group has the legal right and competence to establish any form of organization or agency for the defence of Nigeria or any of its constituent parts.

“This is sanctioned by the provision of Item 45 of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) authorizing the Police and other Federal government security services established by law to maintain law and order.”

In a veiled threat to state governments involved and the Amotekun operatives, the statement warned that “the law will take its natural course in relation to excesses associated with organization, administration and participation in “Amotekun” or continuous association with it as an association”.

Mr Malami said his office was not consulted before plotting the security network saying he would have advised against the exercise.

The attorney general said if the governors had contacted his office “proper information and guidance would have been offered to ensure that Nigeria’s defence and corporate entity are preserved at all times”.

In the preparation for the formation of the organisation, the governors had a summit in which IGP Muhammed Adamu and other security heads participated. No issue about the constitutionality or otherwise of the initiatives was disputed.