Amotekun Explains Why They Gave Four Operatives to Police

The Osun State Amotekun Corps said on Monday that they gave four of their operatives to the state Police Command. This is to help with the investigation into the murder of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as ‘Emir’. He was killed at a motor park in Ile-Ife.

The corps released a statement signed by their spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu. This statement was necessary after reports spread on social media. Some claimed that the police had arrested Amotekun operatives related to Oyeyemi’s death.

Amotekun stated that the operatives handed over to the police were linked to Nurudeen Alowonle. He is the Osun factional Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

PUNCH reported that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State ordered an investigation into Oyeyemi's killing. Oyeyemi was a chieftain of the Accord Party. He died during a clash at Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife on Sunday, September 13.

At the time of his death, Oyeyemi was preparing to become the chairman of a new Park Management System. This system was set to replace the NURTW in managing public motor parks.

In its statement, the Osun Amotekun Corps clarified that the police did not arrest the operatives.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the police did not arrest the Amotekun operatives in question,” they said.

“Rather, the Corps Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, High Chief Dr Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, in the interest of transparency, accountability and a thorough investigation, personally handed over four operatives attached to NURTW chieftain Alowonle Nurudeen to the Osun State Police Command.

“This decision was taken to enable the police to conduct their investigation and unravel the circumstances surrounding the attacks in Ile-Ife. The operatives were therefore made available to the appropriate security authority as part of the investigative process.

“It is important that members of the public and media practitioners distinguish between being arrested and being voluntarily handed over for investigation. The circumstances surrounding the four operatives should not be misrepresented or sensationalised before the conclusion of the police investigation.”

The corps also expressed their commitment to professionalism, discipline, and accountability. They emphasized their readiness to cooperate with other security agencies. They said they would not accept any indiscipline or actions that could harm public trust in the state's security system.