Police Arrest 20 Amotekun Operatives Over Killings in Osun Community

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested about 20 operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps over their alleged involvement in last week’s killings at Akinlalu, a community in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

The operatives were reportedly apprehended on Wednesday by a police squad deployed from Abuja. The arrests took place at the Oke-Fia, Osogbo operation base of the Amotekun Corps and the Ife Central Division in Ile-Ife. After the arrests, the police also sealed off the two premises.

When visited later in the evening, the State Headquarters of the Corps at Powerline, Osogbo, was found open. Confirming the arrests, the spokesperson for the Corps, Yusuf Idowu, said the police stormed their bases in connection with the Akinlalu killings and took away about 20 operatives.

Attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, were unsuccessful, as calls to his line did not connect and text messages were not returned.

The arrests followed growing tension in the state after three residents of Akinlalu were allegedly shot dead during a confrontation with Amotekun operatives. Those killed were identified by the police as Ibrahim Oyebamiji, 26; Sefiu Oyebamiji; and Abiola Olutayo.

Others injured in the incident included Kadijat Adeagbo, 22; Oke-Ila Oyebamiji, 60; and Toheeb Fayomi, 19.According to reports, the operatives had gone to the community to recover two rifles allegedly seized from them but were confronted by armed youths. The encounter resulted in the deaths and injuries.

In reaction, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Oyewusi, visited the Akinlalu community alongside other lawmakers, assuring residents that justice would be served. He urged the youth to remain calm and allow the police and the committee set up by the state government to complete their investigations.

Meanwhile, the Osun Amotekun Commander, Isaac Omoyele, has been invited by the state police command for questioning after claiming he narrowly escaped an attack by unknown gunmen on Monday night.

The incident occurred along Ikirun Road in Osogbo, and Omoyele said his vehicle was riddled with bullets as he fled the scene.The police confirmed that the case had been reported and directed Omoyele to present the damaged vehicle as part of the investigation.

The Akinlalu killings have continued to stir outrage, with families of the victims demanding justice and calling for accountability from the Amotekun Corps and the state government.