APC Criticises Oyo Over Amotekun Losses

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concerns over reported fatalities within the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun.

The Oyo APC has described the reported loss of more than 200 Amotekun operatives as deeply troubling and unacceptable. The party made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Sadare.

The reaction follows comments reportedly made by Governor Seyi Makinde, who disclosed that the state has lost over 200 members of the Amotekun Corps. The opposition party has now called on the governor to provide clearer details surrounding the figures and circumstances of the losses.

According to the APC, greater transparency is necessary to ensure that both security personnel and residents are adequately protected by the state government. It also questioned aspects of how the corps has been deployed across the state.

The party argued that the practice of assigning Amotekun operatives to guard hotels, private properties and business facilities linked to individuals should be discouraged. It insisted that the corps should operate strictly within its original mandate of community security and crime prevention.

The statement further urged the state government to prioritise proper training, retraining and improved welfare for operatives, while also strengthening coordination with federal security agencies.

“For Oyo to have recorded such a high number of fatalities among its security team, it indicates that crime rates in the state has reached the crescendo while the state government covers up a whole lot of things,” the statement read.

It also questioned the effectiveness of security collaboration in the state, alleging weak synergy between the Amotekun Corps and federal security agencies.

“The revelation by the governor also raises a lot of questions regarding the condition of service in the Amotekun Corps Service,” the APC added. It further accused the administration of failing to ensure effective cooperation with federal security bodies, describing the situation as driven by “needless ego and cluelessness”.

The party concluded by calling for the involvement of security experts in addressing rising insecurity and ensuring better operational standards for the corps.

Do you think state security outfits like Amotekun are being properly structured to handle rising security challenges?