The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to provide a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths of more than 200 operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, describing the disclosure as disturbing and unacceptable.
The opposition party’s reaction follows remarks by Makinde during a recent visit to families of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area ,Oyo state, where the governor revealed that over 200 Amotekun personnel had lost their lives in the fight against insecurity across the state.
In a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC said the governor owed residents and the families of the deceased operatives a fuller explanation regarding the casualties.
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According to the party, the revelation raises serious concerns about the security situation in Oyo State and the welfare conditions of personnel deployed to confront criminal elements.
The APC accused the state government of failing to adequately communicate the scale of the losses and questioned why details surrounding the deaths were not previously disclosed.
“For Oyo to have recorded such a high number of fatalities among its security team, it indicates that crime rates in the state have reached a crescendo,” the party stated.
The opposition also criticised what it described as a lack of empathy in the governor’s public comments, arguing that the sacrifices of the fallen operatives deserved greater recognition and transparency.
Makinde had made the disclosure while addressing families affected by the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire. The governor of Oyo state appealed for unity among all levels of government and stressed that insecurity should not become a subject of political blame games.
Speaking at the gathering, he said the sacrifices of Amotekun personnel often go unnoticed despite the dangers they face while protecting communities.
“For the Amotekun Corps, we have lost over 200 operatives. People may not know the sacrifices they make. They go into dangerous situations and many do not return,” the governor said.
The APC, however, argued that the disclosure should prompt a broader review of the corps’ operational structure, welfare packages and coordination with federal security agencies.
The party alleged that inadequate collaboration between state-backed security outfits and conventional security agencies may have contributed to operational challenges.
It also called for improved recruitment standards, regular training and retraining programmes, enhanced welfare benefits and better equipment for personnel operating in high-risk environments.
Another issue raised by the opposition was the alleged deployment of Amotekun personnel to guard private facilities and business interests, a practice it said should be discontinued to allow the outfit focus on its primary security mandate.
The development has renewed debate over the role of regional security outfits in tackling insecurity across the South-West.
Established in January 2020 by the six South-West states, Amotekun was created to complement conventional security agencies in combating kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other violent crimes. Since its formation, the outfit has become a key component of local security operations across the region.
Political observers say the controversy may increase pressure on the Oyo State Government to provide a detailed breakdown of the reported fatalities, the circumstances surrounding them and measures being taken to improve the safety of personnel serving on the frontlines.
