Soyinka at the event warned to the newly inaugurated Amotekun corps against abuse of uniforms.
Soyinka threatened that “before Ogun (god of iron) strikes you, we would have dealt with you.”
He said society was watching the Amotekun corps’ performance, warning them not to become a thorn in the flesh of the people.
The literary icon said, “You have been created to assist them (people), to protect them, to be part of them, to live with them, to gather information, to say to the police, the military, we cannot handle this, but we have seen this, would like to take a look and assist.
“So Amotekun, we are watching you, if you abuse your uniform, before Ogun strikes you, we would have dealt with you.”
Soyinka also warned police and other security agencies to eschew “silly competition” with the Amotekun corps.
The Nobel laurel urged the security agencies to cooperate and collaborate among the security outfits towards taming security challenges.
Soyinka also lamented the invasion of his Abeokuta home in the past by burglars, who stole “sensitive materials.”
Soyinka appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, to help him find those behind the many burglary attacks on his home while he was away, as well as help recover his “sensitive materials that were stolen.”
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, said although Ogun was one of the safest states in the country, much needed to be done to maintain it.