…Hon Comrade James Onifade Sends a Plea to Osun Police Command
In the heart of Nigeria’s Southwest region, Osun State has long been a beacon of tranquility, a place where communities thrive in relative peace compared to the turbulence seen in other parts of the country. However, recent events threaten to erode this hard-earned reputation. The sealing of the Osun State Amotekun Corps command by the Nigeria Police Force, following allegations of misconduct by some operatives, has left a critical gap in the state’s security architecture. This decision, while perhaps intended to address isolated abuses, is ill-timed and counterproductive amid escalating threats of kidnapping and banditry spilling over from neighboring states like Kwara.
It is high time for the Osun Police Command to reconsidered this stance, lift the seal on Amotekun’s offices, and foster collaboration to safeguard the lives and properties of Osun residents.
The controversy began in October 2025 when Amotekun operatives were accused of invading the Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of at least three members of a family and another individual, alongside reports of extortion. The Nigeria Police Force responded swiftly, arresting around 20 operatives and sealing Amotekun’s operational bases in Osogbo and Ile-Ife. Amotekun’s leadership claimed the operatives were ambushed while recovering seized rifles, but the incident sparked outrage and led to the detention of key figures, including the state commander, who remained in custody for months without trial. The Osun State House of Assembly condemned the forceful closure, arguing that it disrupts essential security operations and demanded an immediate reopening.
While accountability is crucial, it is worth noting that no security apparatus is immune to rogue elements. Even the Nigeria Police Force has faced numerous allegations of brutality, extortion, and extrajudicial actions over the years, yet its stations are not sealed en masse in response. Sealing Amotekun’s entire command since last year now extending into 2026 punishes the collective for the sins of a few and weakens the frontline defense against more pressing threats. Bandits and kidnappers, often linked to Fulani herder militias, do not wait for investigations to conclude; they exploit vulnerabilities.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has echoed this sentiment, publicly urging the Inspector-General of Police to lift the ban, highlighting how the shutdown handicaps Osun’s response to insecurity.
The consequences of this impasse are starkly evident in border communities like Ora Igbomina in Ifedayo Local Government Area, which shares a porous boundary with Kwara State. In December 2025, bandits invaded the town, killing a community leader and abducting a retired Customs officer, Emmanuel Owolabi, demanding a N200 million ransom. Barely two months later, in February 2026, gunmen struck again, kidnapping two residents Tayese Adeyeye and Sunday Adewumi from a private residence along Aran-Orin Road, with abductors demanding N100 million. These incidents are part of a worrying pattern, exacerbated by recent violence in Kwara, including a massacre that claimed over 160 lives, raising fears of spillover.
With Amotekun sidelined, local expertise in rural and border patrols where the outfit has proven effective is absent, allowing criminals to operate with impunity.
Collaboration, not confrontation, is the way forward. Amotekun was established under the Osun State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps Law 2020 to complement federal security forces, not compete with them.  By unsealing the offices and releasing detained operatives (pending fair trials), the police can integrate Amotekun’s local knowledge with their resources to form a united front against banditry. Joint operations could target hotspots like the Osun-Kwara border, deterring kidnappers and restoring confidence among residents.
The Osun Assembly’s call for this balance investigation without total shutdown aligns with common sense and the greater good.
Osun’s peace is not accidental, it is the result of proactive measures and community vigilance. Allowing the current situation to fester risks transforming this serene state into a theater of fear and violence.
The Osun Police Command must act decisively: unseal Amotekun’s command, collaborate to resolve internal issues, and prioritize the fight against external threats. The people of Osun deserve no less. Let us not permit isolated incidents to overshadow the collective security needs of the state.
E-signed: Hon Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and A Better Judicial System
