Osun: Adeleke orders probe of alleged killings by Amotekun operatives

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Osun governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered investigation into alleged killing of three people by operatives of Amotekun Corps in Akinlalu community, Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson for the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed who announced this in a statement on Saturday also revealed that Adeleke had sent a top level government delegation to the community.

According to the statement, Adeleke expressed deep shock at the deaths of some individuals from the town after receiving a preliminary report from his Special Adviser on Security Matters on the incident.

“After receiving the preliminary report, further briefings were presented to the Deputy Governor by the security team with a State Security council meeting now scheduled for Monday to further deliberate on the issue and other emerging security threat in the state.

“Adeleke has vowed to dig into the root of the fatal encounter between the people of the town and the Amotekun security service, directing that a high powered delegation of government and service chiefs will visit the affected town after the scheduled state security council meeting on Monday.

“Those expected on the delegation includes the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the state governor, the Commissioner for Information, the Commissioner for political affairs, the Commissioner for Transportation, the Attorney General of the State, the Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the governor and service chiefs of the various security agencies.

“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.

“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”, the governor was quoted as saying.

The Governor also commiserated with all those who lost loved ones in the tragic incident and prayed to God almighty to comfort them.

Amotekun Corps Shot three dead in Akinpelu – Group

Recall that a group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, had on Thursday accused operatives of Amotekun Corps of killing three members of the same family and injuring several others in Akinlalu community

The group also alleged that the Osun State Amotekun commander attempted to cover up the murder by presenting the victims as armed bandits, despite evidence that they were innocent civilians were attacked inside their compound.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Convener, Olusola Badero, through its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the group said the victims who were not caught with any weapons or incriminating items were shot at close range, and left to die in their compound.

“Shockingly, the Amotekun operatives later returned, opened fire on those who came to rescue the injured, and carried away the corpses, while labeling them as bandits. This is not only barbaric but also a complete betrayal of public trust.”

“We are a people of peace and law-abiding citizens. But we cannot continue to fold our arms and watch our people killed like animals by those empowered to defend them. Governor Adeleke must demonstrate leadership by bringing the killers to justice and suspending the commander who orchestrated a false narrative to shield his men from accountability,” the union said.

It also accused Adeleke of indifference, saying that since the killings occurred, he had not ordered any investigation or arrest.

The group vowed vow to pursue legal actions both locally and internationally if justice is not served.

It gave the Governor seven-day ultimatum to investigate the incident and bring the culprits to justice.

“We will not allow this case to be buried. We will mobilise our people in Yorubaland and in the diaspora to ensure that the truth prevails and that the victims do not die in vain. If Governor Adeleke refuses to act, history will remember him as a leader who failed to protect his people,” the Yoruba Union added.