Human rights activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, of shielding ghost workers while denying legitimate officers their appointment letters and entitlements.
Speaking during a protest march in Akure on Thursday, Sowore led hundreds of supporters demanding justice for the suspended Amotekun officers, describing their victimization as part of a wider cover-up within the corps.
Sowore, who addressed the crowd, issued a stern message to the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, calling him out by name and urging immediate action.
“Lucky Aiyedatiwa should ensure these officers get their letters of employment immediately and stop hunting them down. If anything happens to any of them, the governor will be held responsible because he is the Chief Security Officer of the state,” Sowore declared.
He alleged that Amotekun Commander had deliberately refused to issue employment letters to genuine officers, in order to conceal a network of ghost workers benefiting illegally from the state payroll.
“We are aware that the Commander doesn’t want to issue letters because the moment legitimate staff get theirs, he won’t be able to cover up for ghost workers inside Amotekun,” Sowore said.
The activist, while reiterating his support for state policing, cautioned against the misuse of local security outfits by governors for political ends.
“I am in support of state police, but I don’t want irresponsible governors to have access to weapons that will be used to hurt people. Sadly, those who should form the backbone of a state police system are the ones being oppressed,” he said.
Sowore proposed a ₦250,000 monthly benchmark salary for Amotekun personnel, along with hazard allowance, insurance, and other welfare benefits, stressing that “those who risk their lives for public safety must not live in poverty.”
He vowed to continue the campaign until every Amotekun officer in Ondo State receives a formal appointment and all ghost worker operations within the system are exposed.
“Let them do the right thing before we take it to the next stage — we are entering the revolutionary phase of this struggle,” he warned.
