A respected public affairs analyst and advocate for good governance, Comrade Salam Mustapha, has raised serious concerns over the dangerous transformation of the Osun Amotekun Corps from a community security outfit into a state-backed tool of political intimidation, warning that the Corps is now being used to harass opposition members and instill fear in the people of Osun State.
In a strongly-worded statement released in Osogbo, Comrade Mustapha accused the Amotekun Corps of abandoning its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property, and instead serving as an attack dog for the ruling party in Osun.
What we are witnessing is a betrayal of the public trust. Amotekun has now become an instrument of fear, not safety — intimidating opposition voices, arresting innocent citizens under political pretexts, and aligning with those in power,” he declared.
Comrade Salam noted that several credible reports across the state show that Amotekun operatives are now regularly used to silence dissent, intimidate critics of government policies, and raid homes of perceived opponents under the guise of law enforcement.
The analyst further warned that the deliberate politicization of a security outfit like Amotekun poses a direct threat to democracy and civil liberties. He accused the leadership of the Corps — particularly Corps Commander Chief Adekunle Isaac Omoyele and Board Chairman AIG Wale Abbas (Rtd) — of allowing the agency to be reduced to a “party militia in uniform.”
Security institutions must be apolitical and professional. What we see in Osun today is a security body dancing to political drums, unleashing fear instead of protection. This is a red flag for every lover of democracy.”
Comrade Mustapha stressed that the continuous harassment of opposition figures and critics through Amotekun’s misuse would only escalate tensions in the state and push the people to lose faith in government-backed security structures.
He urged civil society groups, traditional rulers, the media, and the general public to speak out against the creeping tyranny and challenge the use of public-funded security for political gain.
We must not remain silent while our tax-funded security outfit becomes a weapon for persecution. Amotekun must return to its core duty — securing the people — not hunting them,” he said.
He concluded with a firm call on the Osun State Government to stop weaponizing Amotekun for partisan purposes, and restore its operational independence in the interest of peace, justice, and equity.
Once a security body loses its neutrality, it becomes a threat to everyone — not just the opposition. We must rescue Amotekun from the grip of political hijackers before it’s too late,” he warned.
*Signed,*
Comr Salam Mustapha
Public Analyst & Advocate for Good Governance.
OSOGBO, June 30, 2025
