A major political confrontation has erupted in Osun State following the arrests of Amotekun operatives and the sealing of the Corps’ operational bases by police officers investigating the recent Akinlalu killings.
The Osun State House of Assembly on Friday condemned the police action and demanded the immediate unsealing of the Amotekun offices in Osogbo and Ife Central Local Government Area, which were reportedly locked up by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The police team was said to have stormed the facilities following public outrage over the killing of residents of Akinlalu community by Amotekun operatives last week.
No fewer than 20 Amotekun operatives were arrested by the IRT officers at the Corps’ bases in Oke Fia, Osogbo, and Ile-Ife. However, the Osun State Police Command later clarified that only five operatives were in custody, insisting that the IGP had taken over the investigation.
According to police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi, the Amotekun Commander, Adekunle Omoyele, was invited for questioning over the killings but allegedly failed to honour the invitation.
Reacting to the development, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, said the police had no authority to halt the operations of Amotekun, describing the Corps as a legally established institution under state law.
Egbedun, speaking on behalf of other lawmakers, alleged that the Senator representing Osun East, Adenigba Fadahunsi, played a role in the police invasion and arrests.
“Amotekun is an organisation created by law, and the police have no legal right to obstruct its duties,” Egbedun said.
“While we do not condone misconduct or impunity by any security outfit, investigations must be transparent and lawful — not used as a smokescreen to sabotage duly constituted institutions.”
In response, Senator Fadahunsi confirmed that he indeed invited the police, defending his action as necessary to protect his constituents.
“Those killed were my people,” the senator declared. “The Amotekun office in Osun has turned into a home of murderers rather than protectors of the community. The Corps should secure lives, not terrorise citizens.”
Fadahunsi warned that any further killings or acts of violence in Osun East Senatorial District would be strongly resisted, accusing the Amotekun Corps of breaching the Constitution and betraying its original mandate to safeguard the state.
