The Osun State Amotekun Corps has said its Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, voluntarily handed over four of its operatives to the police over the recent attacks in Ile-Ife and the death of Oyeyemi Ajagungbade Emir, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Corps dismissed reports circulating on social media that five of its operatives were arrested by the police in connection with the incident, describing the reports as misleading.

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Idowu Abass, the Corps clarified that its operatives were not arrested.

“The attention of the Osun State Amotekun Corps has been drawn to reports circulating on social media alleging that five operatives of the Corps were arrested by the police in connection with the death of the late Oyeyemi Ajagungbade Emir and the recent attacks in Ile-Ife.

“The Osun Amotekun Corps wishes to state categorically that the report, as presented, is misleading and does not reflect the true circumstances of the matter,” the statement read.

Abass explained that Omoyele personally handed over four operatives attached to NURTW chieftain, Alowonle Nurudeen, to the Osun State Police Command in the interest of transparency and accountability.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Police did not arrest the Amotekun operatives in question. Rather, the Corps Commander… 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.

“The decision was taken to enable the police to conduct their investigation and unravel the circumstances surrounding the attacks in Ile-Ife,” he said.

He urged the public and media practitioners to distinguish between arrest and voluntary handover for investigation, and to avoid sensationalising the matter before the conclusion of police investigation.

“The circumstances surrounding the four operatives should not be misrepresented or sensationalised before the conclusion of the police investigation.

“The Osun State Amotekun Corps remains committed to professionalism, discipline, accountability and cooperation with other security agencies. The Corps does not condone indiscipline or any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the state,” Abass added.

The Corps appealed to journalists, bloggers and social media commentators to verify information before publishing, especially on sensitive security matters, and urged the public to allow police investigation run its full course without passing premature judgment.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and supporting relevant security agencies to ensure anyone found culpable faces the law. (The Guardian)

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