The Osun State House of Assembly on Friday demanded the immediate reopening of Amotekun Security Corps operational offices shut by the Police in the wake of the recent killings that occurred in Akinlalu community of Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

It is recalled that no fewer than seven indigenes of the community were allegedly killed by some personnel of the Amotekun Security Corps, while others were critically injured.

However, while addressing a press conference inside the Assembly Complex, the Speaker of the Osun State Legislature, Honourable Adewale Egbedun, described the sealing of the Amotekun operational headquarters in Osogbo and some parts of Ile-Ife as unconstitutional and unjustified, pointing out that the agency was a creation of law.

According to Egbedun, “This Honourable House finds it deeply troubling and constitutionally offensive that an agency created by law and funded by the Osun State Government could be summarily shut down without due process, consultation with the state government, or the House of Assembly, which enacted its enabling legislation.”

The Speaker, who sympathized with the families of the victims affected by the killings, called for a thorough investigation of the incident, explaining that “the House empathizes with concerned families and individuals in Akinlalu who have been affected by the recent incidents involving security operations.

“While the House does not condone misconduct or impunity by any security organization, allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated transparently and in accordance with the law and must not be used as a smokescreen to sabotage duly constituted institutions.”

Egbedun further stated, “It is important to reaffirm that the Amotekun Corps was validly established by a law enacted by the Osun State House of Assembly, namely the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law 2020, with the clear mandate of complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes across the state.

“Since its establishment, the Corps has played a critical role in safeguarding Osun’s rural and border communities, and its operations have led to a significant reduction in security threats within the state.

“At a time when security concerns are escalating in neighbouring states, this is a moment when the Amotekun Corps should be fully operational and reinforced, not sealed. It should be noted that if any breach of security occurs in Osun State as a result of the Amotekun Corps offices being sealed, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies will be held accountable.

“The safety of our people cannot be compromised due to avoidable administrative or political actions. It is important to note that in previous incidents involving the Police and other federal security agencies, alleged misconduct by personnel did not lead to the sealing of the affected formations.

“That the House condemns in the strongest terms the unlawful sealing of the Amotekun Corps operational offices and demands their immediate unsealing to allow the Corps to resume its statutory responsibilities without disruption.

“That, pursuant to Sections 128 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the House has mandated its Committee on Security to investigate this development and submit its report within seven days.” (The Guardian)