IBADAN/Nigeria: The Oyo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has strongly condemned what it described as a “Gestapo-style” abduction of one of its operatives, Saheed Ajibola, allegedly by men suspected to be officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Zone 11.
In a statement issued by the Corps Commandant, Olayinka Olayanju, the agency said Ajibola was taken at about 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, while on lawful duty at a static patrol post covering the General Gas–Akobo axis of Ibadan.
Olayanju faulted the manner in which the operative was apprehended, stressing that the corps has maintained a longstanding cooperative relationship with other security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, particularly in cases involving its personnel. He noted that standard practice requires formal communication with Amotekun authorities whenever any of its officers is under investigation.
According to him, if Ajibola was required for questioning, the appropriate procedure would have been for the police to contact Amotekun headquarters rather than apprehend him while on duty. He said the method allegedly adopted did not reflect professionalism or civility and risked undermining inter-agency trust.
The commandant further expressed concern that the operatives who carried out the arrest were reportedly not in uniform and did not arrive in clearly marked police vehicles, warning that such tactics could easily be mistaken for criminal activity, particularly in light of recent security concerns in the metropolis. He added that the approach could have triggered resistance capable of escalating into violence or fatalities.
Describing the incident as unbecoming, Olayanju urged security agencies to adopt lawful and transparent procedures in the interest of effective collaboration and public confidence. He also disclosed that, as of press time, Amotekun headquarters had not received any official communication explaining the circumstances surrounding Ajibola’s arrest.
The corps reiterated its commitment to inter-agency cooperation and called for adherence to due process in all security operations.
