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The Osun State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the violent clash between operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, and residents of Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government Area, which left at least three people dead and several others wounded.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the incident occurred around 1:20 p.m. on September 30 after Amotekun operatives stormed Akinlalu in what was described as a retaliatory operation to recover two pump-action guns allegedly snatched from their men by unidentified persons.
The police statement noted that during the raid, Amotekun operatives allegedly fired sporadically, leaving three residents dead — identified as 26-year-old Ibrahim Oyebamiji, Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo. Three others — Kadijat Adeagbo, 22; 60-year-old Oke-Ila Oyebamiji; and 19-year-old Fayomi Toheeb — reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.
Their corpses, residents claimed, were taken away by the operatives.
Responding swiftly, police operatives arrived at the scene, recovered 13 expended cartridges, and moved the injured to hospital for treatment.
The intervention also prevented angry residents from retaliating.
It would be recalled that the Osun Amotekun has given a different account.
In a statement earlier issued, Corps claimed its operatives were first ambushed by armed hoodlums while responding to distress calls from Akinlalu farmers. During the ambush, the Corps said, two of their service rifles were snatched.
Reinforcement operatives deployed to the community were allegedly blocked at a barricaded junction and came under heavy gunfire, leading to a fierce shootout that lasted over an hour. Amotekun said three suspected attackers were killed in the exchange, several arrests were made, and the stolen rifles were later recovered.
In reaction, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Osogbo, for discreet inquiry into allegations of murder, assault, gun-snatching, and impersonation.
“The Command urges 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 breakdown of law and order,” the statement read.
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