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| Gov. Adeleke. |
The number of fatalities has increased to four following reports of gunfire by Osun Amotekun operatives in Akinlalu town on Tuesday, after one of the critically injured victims was confirmed dead in the early hours of Saturday.
It should be recalled that residents of Akinlalu alleged that Amotekun officers stormed the community on Tuesday and began firing sporadically at the town’s centre, resulting in the deaths of three people and leaving eight others critically wounded. However, Amotekun stated that its operatives were engaged in a 30-minute shootout with the victims.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr Babarinde Olamide said the Amotekun officers entered the otherwise peaceful town on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that a suspect had seized one of their locally-made weapons.
He explained that the officers arrived in three separate vehicles and, upon reaching the centre of the town, began shooting indiscriminately at the residents, while those who tried to flee were reportedly attacked with cutlasses.
“In the process, three persons were killed on the spot and several others severely injured. Surprisingly, the operatives took the dead bodies away and those critically injured. We received that one of those injured has died at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, after surgery early on Saturday,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and has sent a government delegation to the affected community.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, offering prayers for strength to bear the loss.
“I am a rule of law Governor. This matter is being investigated, and any infraction will be dealt with within the context of the law. I have ordered a security council meeting on this incident and others, such as fears of spill over from Kwara banditry attacks,” the statement quoted Adeleke as saying.
“I sent my condolences to the victims of this unfortunate incident. I urge the good people of Akinlalu to keep calm as our government acts on the matter. I feel their pains, but investigations are ongoing.”
In a related development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has criticised the Amotekun officers over alleged extra-judicial killings and urged the governor not to conceal the truth if he is serious about identifying those responsible.
A statement released by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, emphasised that Amotekun must not be turned into an instrument of intimidation in the state, especially as the election season approaches.
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