Adeleke commends IGP, Egbedun condemns police, links actions to police
While Governor Ademola Adeleke is commending the police for the steps taken some far on the killings by Amotekun Corps in Akinlalu community, the speaker of the State House Assemby has condemned the action by the police.
InsightMedia has reported that the police on Wednesday announced arrest of five persons believed to be Amotekun Operatives while it also sealed up the operational base the security agency in Osogbo.
A statement by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, also revealed that invitation extended to the Amotekun commander, Adekunle Omoyele was not honoured.
Reacting to the development, Governor Adeleke in a statement by Olawale Rasheed commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun for the steps the police has taken so far.
The statement partly reads, “The Governor who assured the police of full cooperation further urges full support for the investigation process he had earlier ordered to unravel the details behind the killings.
“While again commiserating with victims, the Governor affirmed his commitment to fishing out those responsible ,declaring “no one or group, no matter how highly placed or connected found to be culpable in one way or the other should be spared from facing the full brunt of the law.
“The Governor who further said there is no sacred cows in the matter at hand however urges the police to observe the rule of law in the investigation to ensure fairness, adding that the innocents must be protected within the bound of law.”
However, Speaker Egbedun in a statement issued earlier on Friday condemned the action of the police on the matter.
Egbedun positioned that the action of the police in “unlawful” while also ascribing it to politics.
The speaker said, “Osun State House of Assembly has received with a grave concern, the report of the forceful sealing of the operational offices of the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps by federal security operatives.
“It is important to reaffirm that the Amotekun Corps was validly established by a law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly, namely the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law 2020, with the clear mandate of complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across the state. Since its establishment, the Corps has played a critical role in safeguarding Osun’s rural and border communities, and its operations have led to a significant reduction in security threats within the state.
“This Honourable House finds it deeply troubling and constitutionally offensive that an agency created by law and funded by the Osun State Government could be summarily shut down without due process, consultation with the State Government or the House of Assembly which enacted its enabling legislation. At a time when security concerns are escalating in neighbouring states, this is a moment when Amotekun Corps should be fully operational and reinforced, not sealed.”
While declaring that the police will be held responsible if any breach of security occurs, Egbedun also linked the actions by the police to former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi.
“It should be noted that if any breach of security occurs in Osun State as a result of the Amotekun Corps offices being sealed, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies will be held accountable. The safety of our people cannot be compromised due to avoidable administrative or political actions. It is important to note that in previous incidents involving the police and other federal security agencies, alleged misconduct by personnel did not lead to the sealing of the affected formations. The present sealing of the Amotekun Corps offices therefore lacks justification and constitutes a clear departure from standard and lawful procedure.
“The House is equally disturbed by credible reports linking this action to political interference allegedly instigated by Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi in collaboration with former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. If proven true, such actions constitute a reckless abuse of political influence and a gross betrayal of the people of Osun State, whose safety and security must never be reduced to a political manoeuvre.”
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