Osun Amotekun dismisses officer Awopeju Cornelious Sanjo after disciplinary proceedings, reinforcing its stance on accountability and professional conduct
OSOGBO, Nigeria, Tuesday, 27 October 2026: The Osun State Security Network Agency, known as the Amotekun Corps, has dismissed officer Awopeju Cornelious Sanjo, service number OSNA/2021/00018, over alleged gross misconduct following disciplinary proceedings held on Monday, 26 October.
The dismissal was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the corps’ Public Relations Officer, CSA Yusuf Idowu Abass. The statement said the disciplinary process was conducted in accordance with the regulations governing the organisation.
According to the corps, the allegations against Sanjo were formally presented during the proceedings by the command’s Ambassador Provost, CSP Joshua Omogbehin (retd.).
The officer acknowledged the allegations during the process, the statement said, after which the command decided to dismiss him from service.
“Following the disciplinary process, he was dismissed from service in accordance with the applicable regulations,” the statement said.
The command also directed Sanjo to surrender all Amotekun uniforms, equipment and other official materials in his possession as part of the disengagement process.
The directive is intended to ensure a clear separation between the former officer and the security outfit, particularly in a role where uniforms and official equipment help establish an operative’s authority.
Corps Commander Adekunle Isaac Omoyele reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to discipline, professionalism and accountability, warning that misconduct capable of undermining public confidence would not be tolerated.
“All officers are expected to maintain high standards of conduct and perform their duties in line with the rules and regulations governing the organisation,” Omoyele said.
The commander urged personnel to remain vigilant and committed to their responsibilities, adding that officers found guilty of gross misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
The corps also issued a public notice clarifying Sanjo’s employment status.
Residents were advised not to recognise or present him as a serving Amotekun operative, as he no longer held the authority or official standing to act on behalf of the organisation.
The notice carries practical significance for members of the public, who may rely on uniforms and official identification when dealing with security personnel.
The command’s instruction seeks to prevent any confusion over Sanjo’s status following his dismissal.
The announcement comes amid broader public scrutiny of security personnel and the standards expected of agencies entrusted with protecting communities.
In early October, the Osun Amotekun Corps said it had voluntarily handed four operatives over to the police for investigation into attacks in Ile-Ife and the death of Olalekan Oyeyemi Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The corps stressed at the time that the circumstances required proper investigation and cautioned against premature conclusions.
The separate incident illustrates the importance of accountability and careful handling of allegations involving security personnel. The Guardian
Amotekun operates as a regional security initiative established to support efforts to protect lives and property across south-western Nigeria.
Its effectiveness depends not only on operational capacity but also on public confidence in the conduct of its personnel and the transparency of its disciplinary processes.
Previous reports from other Amotekun commands have also documented disciplinary action against officers accused of professional misconduct. In March 2024, for example, the Ondo State command announced the dismissal of three officers following an internal process.
Although the case involved a different state command and separate allegations, it reflects the wider emphasis placed on internal discipline within the regional security network. TheCable
In Sanjo’s case, the Osun command has presented the dismissal as a consequence of its disciplinary proceedings. However, the statement does not specify the precise acts underlying the gross misconduct allegation, and no independent account of the proceedings or response from Sanjo was available in the reports reviewed for this article.
The distinction matters because dismissal from service is an administrative decision and does not, on its own, establish that an officer committed a criminal offence.
The details of the allegations and the evidence considered during the proceedings would be necessary to assess the circumstances more fully.
For residents of Osun State, the immediate message from the command is that Sanjo is no longer authorised to operate as an Amotekun officer.
For the corps, the case provides an opportunity to demonstrate that professional standards apply to its personnel and that alleged breaches can lead to disciplinary consequences.
The command reiterated its commitment to accountability, professionalism and the protection of lives and property throughout Osun State, while urging serving officers to uphold the rules and objectives governing their duties
