BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Corps Commandant of the Osun Security Network, code-named Amotekun Corps, Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (retd), has declared that applicants that will be considered in the ongoing recruitment exercise of the network will be required to possess high spiritual powers to effectively combat insecurity in the state.
In an exclusive chat with The Point, the Amotekun Chief said besides the use of Yoruba traditional powers, modern security techniques would be applied to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the State of Osun.
Speaking further on the criteria the corps would consider in recruiting the about 1000 security personnel, Adewinmbi said applicants with tested and proven spiritual powers and good physical profile would be considered and offered the job.
He described Amotekun as a force of liberation, adding that the security outfit would protect South-West people from invaders, who had constituted themselves as a big threat to the region. In the ongoing first recruitment phase, Adewinmbi said about 350 would be recruited.
“After the recruitment exercises, the successful corps will go for training. They will go for three weeks rigorous training. Thereafter, they would be deployed to all the 32 Local Government Areas of the state. We are authorised to employ 350 corps across the state. That’s not the end. It’s going to be in phases. This is phase one, after this one, we are still going to employ operatives for two other phases.”
He said all the ad-hoc staff currently serving in the corps participated in the recruitment interview and they would be considered, subject to the major criteria, which is possession of traditional/religious powers.
“The criteria for the employment would be based on certificate and spiritual. You know Amotekun is based on traditional knowledge. We are taking the two into consideration during the course of screening. Amotekun operatives are going to be well trained by professionals and security experts,” the Commandant added.
Speaking further on the recruitment process, Adewinmbi said 50 application forms were given to each of the 30 local government areas in the state.
He stated, “We printed 2,000 forms and we distributed them to the local governments in the state; and people turned out well to obtain the forms.
“The screening and interview had already been concluded. We will soon shortlist successful candidates and move to camp straightaway for training. The training will not be less than three weeks duration.
“The training entails all what the corps members need to carry out their job effectively; and that includes intelligence gathering, tactics, civics and ethics, report writing, minor combat, communication drill and all other things required to carry out their job successfully after training. Weapon handling will also be included in the training.
“After the recruitment, the Amotekun corps members will be deployed to various local government areas to curb crimes and maintain peace. Amotekun will have zero tolerance for any act of criminality.
“We have a standard operational procedure and we will teach our corps members how to deal with civilians, how to conduct themselves, how to maintain Amotekun’s integrity because this is the first time we will have a formal recruitment. So, we want to lay a solid foundation for Amotekun and we will have zero tolerance for any act of criminality.” We are achieving these with the support of the Police,” he noted.
