John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State has accused the Amotekun of perpetrating extra-judicial killings at Akinlalu, Ife-North Local Government Area of the state.
Condemning the killings as resulting from a “gruesome and unprovoked attack” on innocent citizens, it called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to probe the local security outfit over the incident.
APC in a statement by its state Director of Media and Information, Mr. Kola Olabisi, noted that “residents of Akinlalu woke up on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, to the tragic news of multiple fatalities and injuries resulting from an invasion by Amotekun operatives.
“The security agents, reportedly led by the corps’ commander, retired police officer Kunle Omoyele, allegedly stormed the community in retaliation for the theft of two pump-action rifles previously snatched from their personnel.
“The operatives arrived in two official patrol vans and a private vehicle and opened fire indiscriminately,
“This resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, whose bodies were reportedly taken away by the operatives, while others sustained serious bullet wounds.”
Victims identified in the attack include 22-year-old Adeagbo Kadijat, 60-year-old Oke-Ila Oyebamiji, and 19-year-old Fayomi Toheeb.
The community has rejected Amotekun’s version of events, which said that its operatives were first ambushed by armed hoodlums. Residents maintain that Akinlalu is a peaceful town with no record of criminality or hostility toward security agencies.
Rather than addressing the incident, the APC accused Governor Adeleke of allegedly ignoring the tragedy and engaging in public festivities, thereby neglecting his duty to ensure justice and security for the people of the state.
It said, “The governor is dancing around the state while the people of Akinlalu mourn their dead.
“This is not just insensitive, but a gross failure in leadership and accountability.”
Already, the State Police boss, CP Mohammed Gotan, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings, as disclosed in a statement by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, and made available to journalists on Tuesday.
The statement said the police received a report from one Chief Oyebamiji Kamorudeen of Akinlalu, alleging that operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, stormed the community in large numbers on Tuesday.
Chief Kamorudeen reportedly claimed that the Amotekun operatives arrived in two official patrol vehicles and one private vehicle, allegedly in retaliation for the earlier snatching of two pump-action rifles from their personnel by unidentified individuals.
“During the invasion, the operatives reportedly fired sporadically, resulting in serious bullet injuries to three persons: Kadijat Adeagbo (female, 22), Oyebamiji Oke-Ila (female, 60), and Toheeb Fayomi (male, 19). It was further alleged that three individuals — Ibrahim Oyebamiji (male, 26), Sefiu Oyebamiji (male), and Abiola Olutayo (male) — were killed in the process, and their corpses were taken away by Amotekun operatives,” the statement read.
Upon receiving the report, police operatives swiftly mobilized to the area, recovered thirteen expended cartridges, and evacuated the injured victims to nearby hospitals for treatment. The initial tension in the community was brought under control, as officers intervened to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
In a separate statement, the Amotekun Corps provided a conflicting account. According to them, their operatives were responding to a distress call from residents when they were ambushed by armed hoodlums. During the ambush, two service rifles were allegedly snatched.
Amotekun further claimed that their reinforcement team came under heavy gunfire at a barricaded junction leading into Akinlalu. A fierce exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted over an hour, during which three suspected attackers were said to have been killed. The Corps also stated that arrests were made and the stolen rifles were recovered from a nearby hideout.
Given the conflicting narratives, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo — the apex investigative body in the state — for a discreet and comprehensive investigation.
“All claims and counterclaims — including allegations of murder, assault occasioning harm, gun snatching, wounding, and impersonation — will be thoroughly verified to establish the facts and ensure justice is served,” the statement emphasized.
The Command has urged residents of Akinlalu and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding. Tactical teams have been reinforced in the area to maintain peace and prevent any further escalation.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and upholding the rule of law. Members of the public are encouraged to provide credible information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
