Following the palpable fears and commotions around Asubiaro community, Osogbo, in the early hours of Monday, the immediate past Osun Amotekun Field Commander, Comrade Amitolu Shittu has alleged the state government of unleashing mayhem on his residence under the guise of assets recovery exercise.
He alleged the newly appointed Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, CSP Adekunle Omoyele (rtd.) of masterminding the attack on his residence on the order of the state Governor as the fully armed Amotekun Corps in company with operatives of Osun Security Joint Task Force (JTF) ransacked his residence.
Speaking on the ugly incidence, the pioneer Osun Field Commander of Amotekun Corps, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, described the act as barbaric, inhuman and flagrant violation of fundamental human rights to privacy.
Amitolu Shittu who traveled out of the country weeks ago, further alleged the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye of complicity on the onslaught against his person.
The pioneer Amotekun Field Commander, noted that the incident was premeditatedly carried out by Omoyele, with a target to permanently silent him from exposing rots in the current administration.
Amitola who lambasted the state government for always playing cheap politics at the detriment of people’s lives and wellbeing since inception, noted that no amount of government antics can stop him from being on the side of truth.
“It is Governor Adeleke who sent them to my house and it is because of my sincerity of purpose to whatever I do. It is unfortunate that a government that is known for failure is still hunting people within the state.
” I have been waiting for this day, I am not surprised. I was expecting them last week but they couldn’t come. So I am aware of their movement. I had an information they were coming and I have alerted those that are supposed to know. I am aware of all they wanted to do in my house.
“On the vehicle they carted away, I will challenge them in court. I will equally challenge them to provide the documents that bear the alleged three vehicles they said I took away which they said are in my possession. They must provide it otherwise, they will face the wrath of the law. We all know that, grandstanding is their trademark. Thank God they didn’t allege me of stealing the vehicle. Thank God that all they were looking for in the book of Amotekun in term of auditing and finances, nothing was traced to me. I am ready for them”, Amitolu said.
Amitolu called on the security agencies in the state to take into cognizance the onslaught against his person urging them to beam their searchlight on the outfit with a view to unraveling the perpetrators.
Reacting to the allegations, the Osun State government in a statement by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, said the process of recovery was legal.
The government said the recovery was carried out by Assets Recovery Committee led by Igbalaye and three vehicles were recovered from Shittu’s residence.
The statement reads, “In an effort to carry out its mandate, the task force paid a visit to the residence of the immediate past Osun Amotekun Field Commander, Comrade Amitolu Shittu in the early hours of Monday, 29th July, 2024, recovering three vehicles illegally possessed by him.
“It should be put on record that the operation conducted at Amitolu’s residence was a lawful and necessary measure to retrieve vehicles and assets unlawfully retained by him from his tenure as the Osun Amotekun Field Commander.
“During his term, Amitolu was known to have illegally possessed several vehicles that belonged to the government, which had not been returned despite repeated requests.
“It is important to note that the operation was conducted in accordance with legal protocols and was intended to recover these assets for the benefit of the state. The involvement of the Osun Security Joint Task Force (JTF) and Amotekun Corps was part of a coordinated effort to ensure the recovery process was handled efficiently and securely.
“Amitolu’s claim of the exercise being a violation of privacy and an act of political persecution is a smokescreen to divert attention from his own legal and ethical breaches.” Alimi said.