By John Dike, Osogbo
The Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Fatomi Dare Hammed, has appealed to the State Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, to reopen the sealed headquarters of the State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.
He said the appeal became necessary due to the recent rise in criminal activities in various parts of the country, stressing that the continued closure of the Amotekun office has created visible gaps in community security and local intelligence gathering.
In a letter addressed to the CP, and copied to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Thursday, the Speaker urged police authorities to reconsider their position for the sake of public safety.
“Solidarity greetings in the spirit of peace and unity. As a youth leader in Osun State, I wish to respectfully bring to your attention that, considering the current security challenges in the country, the reopening of the Amotekun office would greatly enhance security consciousness and strengthen community protection across the State.
“While it is important that any offenders within the corps face the full weight of the law, it is equally important that the operations of Amotekun continue. Proper sensitization and retraining should be provided to ensure that officers operate within the confines of the law, even when provoked by unruly individuals.
“We should not bring down an entire structure simply because a part of its roof is leaking; instead, we should repair the affected areas and reinforce the whole.
“To set the record straight, not all their operations were negative. We must also acknowledge and appreciate the numerous security threats they have prevented and the positive roles they have played in safeguarding our communities.
“I trust that your office will consider this appeal in the overall interest of peace, safety, and community development in Osun State.”
It will be recalled that Amotekun Corps was established by the South-Western states to support conventional security agencies in tackling local crimes such as kidnapping, burglary, farm destruction, land disputes, and night-time insecurity.
In many rural communities across Osun State, their presence quickly became a source of reassurance for residents, farmers, traders, and students who relied on their rapid response and community patrols.
However, the agency’s operations came under scrutiny after the killing of three members of the same family at Akinlalu
community during an encounter involving some of its officers.
Following the incident, the State Police Command sealed the Amotekun headquarters and other offices to allow for investigation and prevent escalation of tensions.
Since the shutdown, many communities have expressed concern over increasing cases of unreported crimes, reduced surveillance, and slower intervention during emergencies, factors that prompted renewed calls for the corps’ reinstatement.
The Youth Assembly’s appeal is the latest in a series of public demands urging authorities to address the security vacuum created by the closure while ensuring accountability for the officers involved.
