Oyo govt warns opposition against politicising Oriire kidnapping

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, has cautioned opposition politicians to refrain from politicising the recent kidnapping that occurred in Oriire Local Government Area.

Oyelade issued the warning in a statement released on Friday in Ibadan, responding to claims that linked casualties in the Amotekun Corps to the Oriire incident.

He urged the opposition to approach the matter from an apolitical standpoint and avoid remarks that could endanger children and teachers.

Oyelade explained that Governor Seyi Makinde had recently disclosed that roughly 200 members of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) had died since the corps was established six years ago.

According to the commissioner, opposition figures had twisted the governor’s statement to create a false impression that the deaths were connected to the Oriire kidnapping.

“Turning the statistics on its head is nothing but cheap politics,” Oyelade said. “Amotekun has not lost a single operative in the Oriire kidnapping incident. The only casualty recorded was a member of personnel who sustained injuries and is currently recuperating.”

The commissioner noted that the 200 deaths recorded since 2020 resulted from a range of causes, including illnesses, natural causes, and fatalities sustained during security operations. He added that due procedures were followed in each case, including notifying the families of the deceased personnel.

Oyelade said the Amotekun Corps remains the most funded and best‑equipped security outfit in the South West. The corps operates 181 vehicles and 450 motorcycles and has a workforce of over 2,500 personnel, making it the largest Amotekun formation in the region and one of the best remunerated.

The commissioner also mentioned that as early as 2021, the governor had consistently called for state police and the deployment of weapons capable of matching those used by bandits and kidnappers. This appeal, he said, had largely been ignored.

Oyelade urged residents to continue supporting the efforts of the state government and security agencies to maintain peace and security across Oyo State. (NAN)

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