By John Dike, Osogbo
The amotekun Corps in Osun State has dismissed allegations made against it during a recent meeting between the Inspector-General of Police, , and political stakeholders in the state, describing the claims as baseless, politically motivated and aimed at undermining the Corps’ credibility.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Public Relations Officer, CSA Yusuf Idowu Abass, the Corps said it was compelled to respond in order to reassure residents of its commitment to professionalism, the rule of law and effective community policing.
According to the statement, attempts by some political actors to portray the Corps as a criminal organisation and question its operational integrity were false, malicious and intended to weaken public confidence in one of the state’s frontline security outfits.
“The attempt to label the Osun Amotekun Corps as a criminal organisation is not only false and malicious but also a deliberate effort to undermine one of the most effective community-based security institutions established to complement conventional security agencies in safeguarding lives and property across Osun State,” the statement said.
The Corps maintained that since its establishment under the laws of Osun State, it has carried out its statutory responsibilities with discipline, professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law.
It noted that its personnel work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies in intelligence gathering, crime prevention and emergency response operations.
According to the Corps, these collaborations have contributed significantly to the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, illegal mining and other criminal activities across the state.
The security outfit lamented what it described as deliberate misinformation and political propaganda aimed at discrediting its operations before the nation’s highest police authority, warning that such actions could undermine collective efforts to tackle insecurity.
Addressing concerns reportedly raised over the operational attire of its personnel, the Corps insisted that all its operations are conducted in line with approved operational guidelines and relevant laws.
It stressed that the leadership of the Corps has never authorised any practice intended to deceive members of the public or impersonate any other security agency.
The statement also welcomed the reported assurance by the Inspector-General of Police that the allegations raised during the meeting would receive due attention, expressing confidence that any impartial and evidence-based investigation would expose the accusations as unsubstantiated.
The Corps further urged political stakeholders to refrain from dragging security institutions into partisan politics, warning that politicising security agencies could embolden criminal elements and erode public trust.
Reaffirming its non-partisan posture, the Osun Amotekun Corps pledged to continue carrying out its constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour.
It called on residents of Osun State to ignore what it described as unfounded allegations and to continue supporting the Corps with timely and credible information to strengthen efforts at combating crime and ensuring public safety.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps remains resolute in its mission to provide effective community policing, strengthen collaboration with all security agencies, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights.
No amount of politically motivated misinformation or orchestrated attempts at discrediting the Corps will deter us from our constitutional mandate,” the statement concluded.
