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The Osun State Police Command has sealed off the office of the Osun Amotekun Corps in Osogbo following ongoing investigations into the September 30th Akinlalu killings, which claimed several lives and left others injured.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts are underway to apprehend others still at large.
The Command said it received distress information from Chief Oyebamiji Kamorudeen of Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government, that operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, invaded the community with two official patrol vans and a private vehicle.
The invasion was reportedly in retaliation for the alleged snatching of two pump-action guns from Amotekun operatives by unidentified individuals.
“During the invasion, the operatives shot sporadically, which caused serious bullet injuries on three victims—Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19). It was further alleged that three persons— Ibraheem Oyebamiji (26), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo—lost their lives during the shooting, and their corpses were taken away by the Amotekun operatives,” the statement read in part.
Police investigations, according to Ojelabi, confirmed that the attackers were indeed members of the Amotekun Corps, adding that victims and eyewitnesses were able to identify some of the suspects.
“The Commander of Amotekun Corps has been invited to clarify his role in the incident but has so far refused to honour the invitation. Attempts to reach him by phone have proved abortive, as his line has remained switched off,” the statement continued.
The police further accused the Amotekun boss of making “unsubstantiated claims” on social media on October 6th, alleging that his operatives were attacked by masked gunmen — a claim the Command described as “a figment of his imagination aimed at concealing the truth and derailing justice.”
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT-FID) to take over the investigation to ensure a thorough probe into the killings.
Confirming the police action in an exclusive telephone chat with this medium, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun Amotekun Corps confirmed that the Command’s office had been sealed by the police.
The Osun State Police Command, however, assured residents that the state remains peaceful, urging the public to disregard unfounded claims and go about their lawful activities without fear.
“The Police remain committed to maintaining the peace for which Osun State is known,” DSP Ojelabi concluded.
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