By Tunde Olamilekan
The Osun State House of Assembly has condemned the sealing of operational offices of the Osun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) by federal security operatives.
The Assembly described the development as “constitutionally offensive” and “a dangerous precedent.”
In a statement on Friday, the Assembly said that Amotekun was a lawful creation of the state legislature and could not be summarily shut down without due process.
The lawmakers reaffirmed that the security outfit was established through the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law 2020, with a clear mandate to complement conventional security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry, and other violent crimes across the state.
According to the House, since its establishment, the Corps has played a vital role in safeguarding rural and border communities, contributing immensely to the reduction of criminal activities within the state.
“It is deeply troubling and constitutionally offensive that an agency created by law and funded by the Osun State Government could be summarily shut down without consultation with the State Government or the House of Assembly which enacted its enabling legislation,” the statement read in part.
The Assembly warned that any security breaches arising from the disruption of Amotekun’s operations would be the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies.
“The safety of our people cannot be compromised due to avoidable administrative or political actions,” it said.
The statement stated that similar disciplinary matters in the past involving federal security formations never led to the sealing of such offices.
“Security is not a political bargaining chip. The lives of our people are not pawns on any chessboard of political ambition,” the Assembly stated.
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