Osun Assembly orders immediate reopening of Amotekun offices
The Osun State House of Assembly has called for the immediate reopening of the operational offices of the Osun Amotekun Corps, after what it described as a forceful and unconstitutional sealing by the Nigeria Police.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Assembly said the action was constitutionally offensive and represented a dangerous precedent that undermines the principles of federalism and state autonomy.
According to the lawmakers, “the Amotekun Corps remains a lawful creation of the state legislature and cannot be summarily shut down without recourse to due process and legislative oversight.”
The House stated that “the security outfit was established under the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law 2020, with a clear statutory mandate to support conventional security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of violent crime across the state.
“Since its establishment, Amotekun has played a crucial role in safeguarding rural and border communities, thereby reducing incidents of violent crimes and criminal infiltration.”
“It is deeply troubling and constitutionally offensive that an agency created by law and funded by the Osun State Government could be summarily shut down without consultation with the State Government or the House of Assembly which enacted its enabling legislation,” the statement added.
The lawmakers warned that any breach of security resulting from the disruption of Amotekun’s operations would rest squarely on the shoulders of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies.
“The safety of our people cannot be compromised due to avoidable administrative or political actions,” the statement read further.
The Assembly also condemned the alleged involvement of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi and former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in the matter, describing such interference, if verified, as reckless, abusive, and a betrayal of public trust.
While expressing sympathy with families affected by the recent Akinlalu town incident in Ife North local government area, which led to the arrest of some Amotekun operatives, the lawmakers insisted that allegations of misconduct must be investigated transparently and not used as a tool to weaken state institutions.
The House adopted several resolutions, including expressing empathy for affected families and reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and due process in handling disciplinary cases involving security personnel.
It also asserted that “Amotekun remains a legally constituted agency of the Osun State Government and cannot be shut down by any federal authority without legislative consent or judicial order.”
The Assembly condemned the sealing of the Corps’ offices and demanded their immediate reopening to allow operatives resume their statutory duties without delay.
To ensure accountability, the House directed its Committee on Security to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and present a report within seven days, in accordance with Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution.
“Security is not a political bargaining chip. The lives of our people are not pawns on any chessboard of political ambition,” it warned.
The Osun State Police Command in a statement on Wednesday, revealed that Police operatives from the IRT-FID stormed Osun and sealed the Osun Amotekun Corps office in Ife Central local government area and the Base office in Osogbo.
The police while disclosing that five Osun Amotekun Corps personally were arrested during the raid added that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has directed the IRT-FID to take over investigation into the matter.