Motor park killing: Why we handed over operatives to police – Osun Amotekun

File: Amotekun operatives

The Osun State Amotekun Corps has said it handed over four of its operatives to the Osun State Police Command to assist the probe into the recent murder of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as ‘Emir,’ at a motor park in the Ile-Ife part of the state.

The Corps, in a statement signed on Monday by its spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, said the clarification was due to a report circulated on social media purporting that the police had arrested some of its operatives in connection with Oyeyemi’s death.

The PUNCH reports that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, ordered an investigation into the killing of Oyeyemi, a chieftain of the Accord Party, who died during a clash at Mayfair motor park in Ile-Ife on Sunday, September 13.

Oyeyemi was reportedly preparing for appointment as the Chairman of the Park Management System, a body meant to replace the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the running of public motor parks in the state, by the government when his death occurred.

But the Corps, in its clarification on the issue, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the police did not arrest the Amotekun operatives in question.

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“Rather, the Corps Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, 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. The operatives were, therefore, made available to the appropriate security authority as part of the investigative process.

“It is important that members of the public and media practitioners distinguish between being arrested and being voluntarily handed over for investigation. The circumstances surrounding the four operatives should not be misrepresented or sensationalised before the conclusion of the police investigation.”

The Corps expressed commitment to professionalism, discipline, accountability and cooperation with other security agencies, noting that it will not condone indiscipline or any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the state.