The Muslim Right Concern (MURIC) has accused the South-Western Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, of deliberately profiling and intimidating individuals of northern extraction and of other tribes who travel to South-West states.
The human rights organisation also raised the alarm that Amotekun is allegedly engaging in extra-judicial killings of residents in the geopolitical region, particularly people of Yoruba origin.
The claims were made in a statement issued by Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC, on Thursday.
According to MURIC, its concern on the operational guidelines of the regional security outfit follows multiple reports of alleged high-handedness that has been made against operatives of the group.
It stated that such actions are not only illegal and unconstitutional but could trigger an ethnic crisis against the Yorubas and the South-West region in general in the if such operational issues are not promptly resolved by the security outfit’s management.
The statement read: “Reports reaching us indicate that the South West regional security outfit, Amotekun, has been engaging in extra-judicial killings. Among those killed without proper recourse to law were Akolade Gbadebo, a 400 level student of the University of Ibadan, who was killed on 26th December, 2020. Seven Fulanis were also reported killed at Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government area of Oyo State on Monday, 11th January, 2021.
“We also have reports that vehicles coming from or going to the North are being stopped by members of the Amotekun corps. They order Hausa-Fulanis to disembark, search them and almost strip them naked.
“Reports reaching us indicate that the South West regional security outfit, Amotekun, has been engaging in extra-judicial killings. Among those killed without proper recourse to law were Akolade Gbadebo, a 400 level student of the University of Ibadan, who was killed on 26th December, 2020. Seven Fulanis were also reported killed at Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government area of Oyo State on Monday, 11th January, 2021.
“We also have reports that vehicles coming from or going to the North are being stopped by members of the Amotekun corps. They order Hausa-Fulanis to disembark, search them and almost strip them naked.
“MURIC strongly condemns this act of stereotyping of a particular ethnic group. It is not only provocative and counter-productive, but also illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. It may provoke angry reactions against Yoruba people who also travel to the North as well as those who are currently residing there. Amotekun should not put Yorubas in other places at risk.
“The intimidation of Northern travelers violates the spirit and letter of Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says inter alia, ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof…’ The profiling of Northerners at Amotekun roadblocks therefore encroaches upon freedom of movement.”
While noting that it is not against the establishment and operations of Amotekun, MURIC insisted that the governors of the South-West states should instruct operatives of the regional security outfit to act professionally at all times in the discharge of their duties.
It added that the security outfit should go after all criminals regardless of their tribes but without undue profiling of individuals.
“We believe that Amotekun can be useful in stemming the tide of insecurity in the South West without targeting any particular ethnic group. We remind Amotekun leaders that any threat to the lives and livelihood of other ethnic groups in the South West is an invitation to threat to the lives and livelihood of Yoruba residents and travelers in the North. We therefore call on governors in the region to call Amotekun to order.
“For the avoidance of doubts, we are not opposed to security measures being taken by state governments in the South West but those charged with the task must be properly trained. Professionalism will make Amotekun more effective. Amotekun should therefore deal with all criminals, whether they are Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani or Igbo without considering their tribes.”
