Tension is mounting across Oyo State as operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, have announced plans for a statewide strike and protest over the government’s failure to issue them appointment letters nearly five years after the outfit was created.
The aggrieved operatives, who described themselves as “contract staff under slavery conditions,” said frustration has reached breaking point across all 33 local government areas due to what they called deliberate neglect by Governor Seyi Makinde, Chairman of the Amotekun Board, AIG Sikiru Akande (retd.), and the State Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.).
In a statement issued on behalf of the corps members, the operatives praised the late Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, for championing the creation of Amotekun across the Southwest.
They, however, accused the Oyo State government of abandoning its own security outfit despite its role in combating kidnappers and armed criminals.
“Since Amotekun was formed in 2020, operatives in Oyo State have been working without appointment letters, job security or proper welfare.
“We have been reduced to contract staff, yet we confront kidnappers and armed bandits daily,” the statement read.
The operatives said Amotekun successfully foiled kidnapping operations in Lagelu and Akinyele LGAs, yet their employment status remains unresolved.
The protesters questioned why Governor Makinde placed security personnel at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on the government payroll during a recent visit to Ogbomoso, while hundreds of Amotekun operatives risking their lives remain unregularised.
They also accused Col. Olayinka Olayanju of openly admitting that he personally stopped the issuance of appointment letters since 2021.
“Col. Olayinka Olayanju repeated before the Oyo State House of Assembly on November 19 that he stopped the process because veteran operatives were more active than the younger ones. This excuse is shameful,” they said.
The operatives further demanded the dissolution of the Amotekun board over alleged lack of transparency in the handling of about ₦1.2 million purportedly collected from each of the 33 local government chairmen over a five-year period.
They called for an investigation into what they described as “questionable financial activities” within the board.
The security personnel listed the following demands: immediate issuance of appointment letters to all operatives ; introduction of ranks and command structure ; payment of hardship allowance earlier announced by Governor Makinde ; dissolution of the Amotekun board and sacking of the Commandant, Col. Olayanju, and the board chairman.
According to them, the failure to provide job protection is coming at a dangerous time, as intelligence reports indicate that criminal groups who attacked Zamfara, Borno, Plateau, and most recently Kwara State, may be planning to infiltrate Oyo.
“We are the ones on the frontlines. How can the government expect us to defend the state when we have no job security or welfare?” the statement added.
The operatives appealed to the Oyo State House of Assembly to embark on fact-finding visits to all Amotekun offices across the 33 LGAs to hear their grievances directly.
They warned that ignoring their agitation could lead to a surge in insecurity.
“We urge the Assembly to intervene before the security situation gets out of control,” they cautioned.
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