Osun Amotekun Office Closure: Power Play or Public Interest? -By Hon. Femi Oluwasanmi

It remains perplexing that the Osun State Amotekun Corps headquarters continues to be sealed off by the police, even after the arrest and interrogation of over 20 officers allegedly in connection with the unfortunate incident at Akinlalu Town, a tragedy that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property. This action by the police appears to be a classic case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, especially when viewed in the context of Amotekun’s laudable contributions to the peace and security landscape of Osun State since its inception.

Undoubtedly, the Nigerian Police Force bears the constitutional responsibility of maintaining internal security, investigating crimes, and prosecuting offenders. However, the decision to seal off the operational base of a complementary security agency like Amotekun seems excessive, if not counterproductive, particularly at a time when Nigeria faces escalating security challenges that have overstretched the capacity of the police nationwide. Amotekun, by all accounts, has proven indispensable in supporting the state’s security architecture.

Before the Akinlalu incident, the Amotekun Corps had consistently demonstrated operational efficiency, apprehending criminals through intelligence gathering and handing them over to the police. The outfit has also played a critical role in mediating community disputes and preventing potential clashes that could have escalated into bloodshed. Their prompt response to distress calls, especially in rural areas where residents frequently face attacks from criminal elements such as herdsmen, rustlers, bandits, and kidnappers, has earned them trust and credibility among local populations who often lack easy access to conventional police infrastructure.

The limited presence of the police in these areas has created a vacuum that Amotekun has commendably filled. Compared to the police, whose stations are often situated far from these vulnerable communities, Amotekun has remained visible, accessible, and responsive.

Aside from the visibility issue, the public trust in the police force among many people has been eroded over time due to corruption, inefficiency, and a perceived lack of empathy. It is disheartening, for instance, when a distressed individual approaches a police station only to be asked to pay as much as ₦30, 000 – 50,000 as a ‘mobilization fee’, even when their life is in immediate danger. Worse still, some police stations now refuse to accept petitions unless they are filed through a legal practitioner, a process that can cost anywhere from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000. This creates barriers for ordinary citizens, further alienating them from law enforcement and pushing them towards alternative security arrangements like Amotekun.

Of course, no security outfit is immune to misconduct. Just as there are a few bad eggs in the Nigeria Police Force, it would be unrealistic to expect total perfection from Amotekun. However, isolated infractions should not be used as justification for dismantling an entire structure that has proven effective. If the same logic were applied to the police, numerous stations across the country would be shut down by now due to the many allegations—some fatal—leveled against their officers.

Consider the tragic case of the late Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, a Lagos-based lawyer shot by a police officer in broad daylight. Despite the public outrage, the station involved was never sealed. Or reflect on the many unresolved cases of police brutality that culminated in the nationwide #EndSARS protests in 2020, an uprising that cost the nation lives and billions in damages. Yet, even in those extreme circumstances, police stations were not closed en masse.

Therefore, no one is suggesting that the police should turn a blind eye to incidents involving Amotekun operatives. As investigations must proceed, and accountability should be enforced. However, sealing off Amotekun offices in Osogbo and Ife sends the wrong signal. It undermines collaborative security efforts, especially in a state as security-sensitive as Osun. What the situation demands is not rivalry, but synergy.

Since the assumption of office by His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Osun State has recorded significant improvements in security. Gone are the days when armed robbers brazenly attacked bullion vans in broad daylight, killing civilians and security personnel alike. These improvements are not coincidental; they are the result of effective coordination among all security agencies, including Amotekun.

To sustain the peace and progress currently enjoyed in the state, every stakeholder in the security sector must be allowed to function optimally. Hence, the continued closure of Amotekun offices appears less about due process and more about power dynamics. It is, in effect, a disservice to public interest and a threat to the peace that has been painstakingly achieved.

Therefore, the Nigerian Police Force should reconsider its stance by reopening the sealed Amotekun offices so that the important collaboration in safeguarding the lives and property of the citizens can resume at a maximum level.

E-signed:

Hon. Femi Oluwasanmi,

Special Assistant to the Governor of Osun State,

Secretary, Ijesa South Special Assistants Forum,

Admin, Osun State Special Assistants Forum.

Date: 12 October, 2025.