Islamic Organization Decries Mode Of Amotekun In Southwest ….As Osun Govt Says It Has No Religious Coloration

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Members of an Islamic Organization, the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the process that led to the formation of the south west security network popularly called Operation Amotekun.

But while reacting on the matter , Osun state Governor , Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola refuted the claims saying Amotekun has no religious coloration.

Addressing a press conference at Osun NUJ Correspondents’ chapel in Osogbo on Monday, the National Vice Chairman of the Council, Sheik Abdur’raheed Hadiyatullah advised the South-west states Governors not to lean towards any religion or target any ethnic group for victimization.

The group argued that the governors did not deem it fit to consult properly before unvailling Amotekun, saying the newly launched Southwest Security outfit has religious coloration.

According to the group, ” the isolation of a sizeable number of the concerned people specifically, the Muslims who are the majority in the region and some faithfuls of other religions by these Governors especially the 5 Christians Governors in the deliberation that subsequently produced the planned Amotekun is nothing but a constructive display of low understanding of Religious tolerance on the side of promoters of the security outfit.

“Apart from the reference to birth certificates from churches and letters of reference from pastors, the choice of nomenclature is another controversial issue because it has a strong Christian identity.

“Why ‘Amotekun’ as a name for crying out loud? Research has revealed the biblical origin of this name and it makes Muslims suspicious. Why Amotekun of all brands?

“Jeremiah 5:6 says, ‘A leopard shall guard over their city’. Amotekun is mentioned in this verse with particular reference to guarding a city.

“Provision of effective safely for lives and properly of the people at any point in time is a collective responsibility one that is devoid of any iota of elements of Religious , ethnic and primitive bigotry ; a type of garment that Amotekun presently but unfortunately I wear.

“Issues of security of the people ought not to be premised on the alter of politics and personal interest as doing such would amount to building a. Empire on a mere propaganda and the figment of the imagination of the gullible. It stands to collapse shortly after it’s creation.”

“Any form of the Christian Agenda camouflage as a security outfit , such as the Amotakun , where the Muslims population from the Southwest and in the country at lart is viewed as a target is an act of injustice, unfairness , inequality, barbarism , savagery and wickedness taken too far and therefore outright unacceptable and thereby condemned in its entirety.”

However, the governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ismail Omipidan, contended that the claims by the Council was a deliberate attempt to cause disunity among the people of the state and Southwest region in general.

The Governor urged the people to concentrate their energy on how to reposition the security system of the state saying Government is already working on the legislation to legalize it .

“As far as Osun state is concerned there was no any certificate issued by any church for any recruitment for Amotekun Operations.

“Already, the government is yet to start recruitment on Amotekun. Osun is a peaceful state and government would not allow anybody to cause disaffection among the people of the state.