'Ogun' god of iron won't hesitate to strike you if you misbehave, Soyinka warns as Gov Abiodun inaugurates Amotekun corps in Ogun

Olumide Akanji

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has said that 'Ogun' Yoruba god of iron won't hesitate to deal decisively with any member of Ogun State Security Network codenamed "Amotekun'' who decided not to do his or her job açcording to the law setting up the security outfit but would rather engage in activities that run contrary to the purpose for which the Amotekun Corps was set up.

Prof Wole Soyinka, an adherent of Ogun himself stated this on Thursday during the inauguration of the Ogun State Security Network otherwise call Amotekun held on Thursday at the Arcade Ground, Governor's Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta

The Nobel Laureate who was decorated as the Super Marshal of the Amotekun said it was quite important for those drafted into the Amotekun Corps to be of good conduct, respect the fundamental rights of the members of the public saying that "if you misbehave with these uniforms given to you, we would have dealt with you before Ogun strikes you".

Inaugurating the security outfit, Gov Dapo Abiodun warned the Amotekun Corps against trampling on the rights of the citizens in the course of fighting criminality anywhere in the state.

Gov Abiodun specifically charged operatives of the "Amotekun" Corps to operate within the ambit of the law setting it up and diligently add value towards strengthening the security of lives and property in the state.

Recalling the circumstances which led to the establishment of the Corp, Abiodun explained that governors and leaders of the six South Western states at a Security Summit held on Tuesday 25th of June, 2019 in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, unanimously consented to establishing the security outfit which was to be named “Amotekun”.

Abiodun disclosed that the establishment of the security outfit was part of an holistic approach determined towards tackling the rising wave of insecurity in the South West region.

"Its establishment is to complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the different states, especially with a truly indigenous security agency that understands the terrains, language and lingo of the people in the area". 

The governor however, declared that himself, the state government and people of the state will expect "nothing less than a superlative performance of duties" from the operatives. 

"You are also subject to the law, not above the law. Let the rule of law be your watchword and ensure that you respect the rights of citizens and residents of the state.

Let me be clear: your role is primarily to prevent crime. You are to do this through systematic intelligence gathering and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies: the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NAPTIP, NDLEA, Customs, Immigration, DSS and others".

Earlier in his goodwill message, the Director General of the Development Agenda For Western Nigeria (DAWN), 'Seye Oyeleye appealed to all the security agencies in the state to cooperate with operatives of the "Amotekun" Corp, which he said are not meant to rival any of the security agencies, but out to complement them in the efforts towards providing community policing "at its best" for the state.

Also speaking at the inauguration, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun said his command will work with the "Amotekun" Corp towards stemming the tide of insecurity across the state.