By John Dike, Osogbo
The Amotekun Corps in Osun State has debunked an allegation by the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, that it deployed its operatives to a power facility in Ondo State owned by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s elder brother, Deji.
It described the allegation as politically motivated, “entirely false, baseless, misleading and incapable of withstanding any objective scrutiny.”
The party had alleged that the state-owned security outfit deployed dozens of its operatives to provide security for the private power facility outside the state
A statement on Monday by the Director-General of the Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke, had alleged that no fewer than 50 operatives of the Amotekun Corps had been drafted to Pacific Energy Company, a power generation facility reportedly owned by Dr. Deji Adeleke, elder brother of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
It said intelligence available to the APC campaign council suggested that the operatives were deployed outside Osun State under the supervision of Commander Aseye Matthew Olusola and another officer identified as Kazeem Raji.
It expressed concern over what it described as the diversion of state-funded security resources from their statutory responsibility of protecting lives and property in Osun State.
Oke argued that the alleged deployment was taking place at a time when many communities across Osun were facing increasing security threats, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
He maintained that residents of the state deserved adequate protection and questioned the rationale behind sending security personnel financed by taxpayers to safeguard a private facility outside the state’s territorial jurisdiction.
The APC campaign council further alleged that the deployment reflected a misuse of public institutions for private interests and called on the state government to provide explanations regarding the alleged movement of the operatives.
According to the opposition party, such action, if true, would amount to a breach of public trust and a diversion of resources meant for the collective security of Osun residents.
However, the Osun Amotekun Corps dismissed the allegations in their entirety, insisting that no personnel were deployed to any power plant in Ondo State and that all officers remained within Osun State carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
In a statement signed by the Corps Public Relations Officer, CSA Yusuf Idowu Abass, the security outfit described the APC’s claims as “entirely false, baseless, misleading and incapable of withstanding any objective scrutiny.”
The Corps said it was disturbed by what it termed an attempt to drag a professional security institution into partisan political controversies.
According to the statement, Amotekun remains a security institution established by law to protect lives and property throughout Osun State and does not engage in political activities or serve the interests of any individual, political party, private organisation or business entity.
The Corps stated that the officers mentioned in the APC’s allegation were currently performing their lawful duties at the Corps headquarters in Osogbo and at other operational locations within the state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the officers whose names were reportedly mentioned in connection with the allegation are currently carrying out their lawful duties within the Corps Headquarters in Osogbo and other designated locations in Osun State,” the statement read.
“At no time were such operatives deployed to Ondo State for any assignment related to the power plant as alleged.”
Amotekun further clarified that all personnel remained on active duty and operational standby within Osun State throughout the period referenced by the APC campaign council.
The security outfit described the claim that 50 operatives were mobilised outside the state as completely fabricated and lacking any factual foundation.
The Corps also denied reports suggesting that one of its officers was involved in a motorcycle accident while allegedly travelling to Ondo State for the purported assignment.
According to the statement, no such incident occurred, and no officer of the Corps was involved in any accident connected with the alleged deployment.
“The claim is entirely fictitious and exists only in the imagination of those seeking to spread misinformation and undermine public confidence in the Corps,” the statement added.
Amotekun accused those behind the allegation of attempting to tarnish the image and credibility of a security institution that has consistently worked to combat crime and maintain peace across Osun State.
The Corps warned against efforts to politicise security matters and stressed that it would not allow itself to become an instrument in partisan disputes.
It reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality, professionalism and strict adherence to its statutory mandate, assuring residents that its focus remained the protection of lives and property throughout the state.
The leadership of the Corps maintained that Amotekun belongs to the people of Osun State and would continue to discharge its responsibilities without fear, favour or political consideration.
The security outfit therefore urged members of the public to disregard the allegations and continue supporting its operations across the state.
The security outfit insists that no operative was deployed to any private power facility in Ondo State and that all personnel remain fully committed to protecting communities across Osun State.
