By John Dike, Osogbo
Ahead of Saturday’s Osun State Governorship Election, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in the state, High Chief Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, has directed all operatives of the state-owned security outfit to stay away from election security duties and instead return to their respective communities to exercise their constitutional right by voting for candidates of their choice.
The directive came as the Nigeria Police Force, the lead agency responsible for election security, finalised arrangements for the conduct of the governorship poll and outlined the security agencies that will participate in the exercise.
Speaking in an exclusive interview at the headquarters of the Osun Amotekun Corps in Osogbo, Omoyele said the Corps would strictly comply with the directive issued by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, AIG Akinyele Fasuba, barring Amotekun from participating in election security operations.
He disclosed that following the police directive, he immediately convened meetings with Area Commanders, Unit Commanders and Heads of Departments across the state to communicate the decision and ensure that every operative understood the position of the Nigeria Police Force regarding Saturday’s election.
According to him, all Amotekun personnel have been instructed to remain professional, stay away from election-related security activities and proceed to their polling units to cast their votes peacefully.
Omoyele stressed that the Corps had no intention of violating the directive of the police, adding that Amotekun remains a law-abiding security organisation committed to operating within the confines of the law.
He explained that although the Corps would not be involved in election security, its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across Osun State would continue before and after the election.
He said the Corps would remain vigilant against criminal activities and would continue to respond to emergencies within the scope of its legal mandate.
“The Nigeria Police is the lead agency responsible for election security in Nigeria. They have identified the security agencies that will participate in the election, and Amotekun is not among them.
“As a disciplined and law-abiding security organisation, we have no reason to violate the directive issued by the police.
“I have directed all my officers and men to stay away from election security duties. Rather than involving themselves in election operations, they should go to their respective polling units and perform their civic responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice.
“We will not interfere in the conduct of the election, and we will not do anything capable of creating misunderstanding with the police or any other security agency.
“Our duty is to respect the law. We shall continue to discharge our statutory responsibilities before and after the election by protecting the people of Osun State and ensuring that criminals do not take advantage of the election period to perpetrate crimes,” he said.
The Amotekun Commander noted that the safety and security of residents remain the Corps’ primary concern, explaining that arrangements had already been put in place to ensure prompt response to security challenges that might arise outside the election security framework.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigeria Police Force and other approved security agencies to provide adequate security for voters, election officials and electoral materials during the governorship poll.
Omoyele urged politicians, their supporters and residents of the state to conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the election, warning that violence would only undermine the democratic process and the peaceful reputation of Osun State.
He appealed to eligible voters not to allow fear or intimidation to prevent them from participating in the election.
“I want to encourage every eligible voter in Osun State to come out and exercise his or her civic responsibility peacefully. Democracy can only thrive when citizens freely participate in the electoral process.
“The people should remain law-abiding, avoid violence and report any suspicious movement or criminal activity to the appropriate security agencies,” he advised.
Speaking on the growing campaign for the establishment of state police, Omoyele reaffirmed his support for the initiative, saying decentralised policing remains one of the most effective ways of addressing security challenges in the country.
According to him, security is more effective when officers understand the language, culture, terrain and social dynamics of the communities they serve.
“I have always been an advocate of state police and community policing because security works better when it is community-based.
“If state police eventually becomes a reality, officers recruited from various local communities should be deployed within those communities because they understand the terrain, know the people and can easily gather intelligence.
“Such an arrangement will strengthen intelligence gathering, improve public confidence and significantly reduce crime because the officers are familiar with the environment and the people they are policing,” he said.
Omoyele further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining of security personnel, noting that the evolving nature of crime requires security agencies to constantly update their operational skills.
He said regular capacity-building programmes would improve professionalism, discipline, operational efficiency and respect for human rights among security personnel.
The Amotekun boss reiterated that his administration places high premium on training, welfare and discipline, adding that well-trained operatives are better equipped to respond to emerging security threats.
He assured residents that the Corps would continue to work closely with other security agencies in combating crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities after the governorship election.
While wishing the people of Osun State a peaceful election, Omoyele expressed optimism that the poll would be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, fairness and credibility.
He called on all political parties and their supporters to place the interest of the state above partisan considerations and accept the outcome of the election through lawful means.
“The peace of Osun State is more important than the ambition of any individual. We must all work together to ensure that the election is peaceful and credible.
“Our operatives will not participate in election security because we have been directed not to do so. However, immediately after the election, we shall resume our normal constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the state.
“We remain committed to ensuring that the people of Osun State continue to sleep with their two eyes closed, knowing that their safety remains our priority,” he said.
