The Alaapa of Ita-Apa, Oba Alexander Kujembola, has decried the continuous detention of three of his high chiefs and two residents in Ilesa Correctional Centre for alleged murder.
DAILY POST gathered that Oba Kujembola, who is in the United States of America on health grounds, expressed concern over the arrest of the chiefs by a personnel of Osun Amotekun.
The traditional ruler insisted that the arrests were unjust, revealed that the chiefs were legitimately engaged in combating cultism in his domain.
He stated that efforts to bail the chiefs have been unsuccessful, alleging political interference in the matter and called in the state government not to politicise the security his people.
The monarch alleged that members of deadly fraternities have been attacking the community.
“The arrests of the chiefs who were combating cultism is unjust. We have tried to bail the chiefs have unsuccessful. We perceive there is political interference in the matter.
“We call on the government not to politicize the security of the people of ita-Apa.”
Oba Kujembola noted that those arrested by Amotekun were volunteer members of the local security watch preventing the return of dislodged criminals from the Ita-Apa community.
DAILY POST had reported that Amotekun Corps in Osun State had arrested suspects in relation to kidnapping and murder in Atakunmosa East local government area of the state.
Addressing journalists in regard to the arrest, Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele said the security agency arrested the suspects after a distress call from the community.
The Amotekun Corps also debunked the reports that its operatives had arrested community chiefs in any part of the state.
Osun Amotekun in denying the report, also stated that the allegations were false, baseless and designed to undermine its integrity and professionalism.
Omoyele said the suspects were arrested after Amotekun received reports that unidentified armed squads in camouflage uniform were moving suspiciously around the town with sophisticated weapons.
He revealed that some exhibits were recovered from them which included a pump action rifle and criminal charms.
The Osun Amotekun boss alleged that interested parties in the case were interpreting the arrest as undue political interference.
“I don’t know why people are putting undue political interference when we are doing our job. He has confessed to the crime. He said he procured the ammunition from an armoury which we are investigating. It is not political but criminal.
“The suspects in question mentioned some names. I don’t know whether they are chiefs since there was nothing to show that they are chiefs. They are not chiefs but suspects in this case.
“In a case of this nature, you cannot hurriedly release such a suspect. Who knows what is contained in the Ibadan armoury or what it contains. It will be unfair for us not to investigate this matter. Whatever we are doing is under the purview of the law. We have applied for a court order and that is the proper thing to do,” he said.
