The Osun State Amotekun Corps has strongly denied reports claiming its operatives arrested traditional chiefs in Itapa, Atakumosa East local government area of the state, describing such allegations as "false, baseless, and designed to undermine the integrity" of the security outfit.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, through Public Relations Officer Yusuf Idowu Abass, Amotekun responded to a publication alleging that the security agency had commenced "massive arrest and detention" of traditional chiefs believed to be members of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The publication had claimed that five prominent chiefs from Itapa—Chief Adeyeri Olalekan, Chief Adeyeri Ladele, Chief Adeyeri Adeyeye, Chief Ariyo Dare, and Chief Ogunsola Oladele—were detained at the Amotekun facility in Osogbo over allegations of "unlawfully organizing local security for the community."

According to the report, the chiefs were initially arrested on Tuesday, granted administrative bail, but later rearrested on Sunday. The publication further alleged that Amotekun was acting to protect cult members who were reportedly terrorizing the community and were allegedly affiliated with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Amotekun's Response

"We categorically state that no member of the Amotekun Corps arrested any community chief in Itapa or anywhere else in Atakumosa East," the statement read. The security agency described the allegations as a "deliberate fabrication intended to politicize security matters and mislead the public."

The Corps warned that such false reports were "not only dangerous but capable of inciting distrust, tension, and unnecessary panic within the community."

Amotekun urged the public to disregard the publication entirely, reaffirming its commitment to "safeguarding the lives and property of all residents, irrespective of political affiliation, religious background, or social status."

The security outfit also advised media platforms and individuals behind such allegations to "desist from disseminating unverified and harmful information," emphasizing that "security matters must never be trivialized or politicized."

The Amotekun Corps, a regional security network established in the southwestern states of Nigeria, has been working to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in maintaining peace and order in the region.