…I’ve directed Amotekun board chair to go to Abuja to assist in ongoing probe — Adeleke
…deceased family demands retraction of Osun Assembly stance on Akinlalu
The Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State has called for the removal of the Osun Amotekun Commandant, Isaac Omoyele, following the killing of four residents by operatives of the security outfit.
Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday led members of his cabinet, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, and other top officials to the town to commiserate with the community over the tragic incident.
The Nation reports that Amotekun operatives had invaded the Akinlalu market square, killing three members of the same family and another resident, while several others sustained gunshot injuries. Omoyele later claimed he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt — a claim the police have since dismissed.
Following public outrage, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector-General of Police arrested 25 Amotekun operatives on Wednesday night and sealed the outfit’s operational armoury base at Oke-Fia, Osogbo, as well as its Ife Central office.
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During the governor’s condolence visit, the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, received Adeleke in his palace alongside his chiefs, the victims’ families, community youths, and other sympathizers.
In a joint address delivered by Oba Oloyede and the community’s youth leader, Musibau Adeboye, the people demanded Omoyele’s removal from office, stressing that his continued stay could heighten tensions.
They also presented seven other demands to the governor, which they said would help restore peace and rebuild trust between residents and security agencies.
According to them, “We demand for the immediate suspension of Omoyele. Given the gravity of the allegations and the ensuing communal crisis, we urgently appeal for the immediate and unconditional suspension of the Amotekun Corps Commandant, Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, pending the conclusion of a full and fair investigation. This decisive action is necessary to ensure impartiality and restore public confidence in the investigative process.”
They highlighted that Adeleke should ensure justice; public clarification to boost trust shattered by the incident; provide support for victims and restitution; restructure Amotekun by suspending Omoyele from office; cessation of intimidation; re-establish local policing, and youth empowerment.
Also, Aro of Akinlalu, Chief Kamorudeen Oyebamiji, who lost three family members to the incident, berated the stance of Osun State House of Assembly through the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, condemning the police intervention over the probe of the killings.
He demanded retraction of the stance, saying the community is not pleased with his position on the matter.
He said, “We want to urge the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, to retract his stance he read to the media about the Akinlalu killing, where he called for reopening of the Amotekun base. The stance infuriated us a lot. Since the incident occurred, we have not been going to work. At least the Speaker read the response of the Governor to the situation, we want to urge Governor Ademola Adeleke to prevail on the Speaker to retract the House of Assembly stance over the incident.”
Responding to the community, Adeleke promised that he would assist the community and the families of the slain victims and others to get justice.
He said, “I was in pain when this happened. I was in America when it happened. I came here directly to tell you how touched I am. I am so sorry that this kind of thing happened. I brought everybody here to tell you that you are important.
“I want to greet you, our mothers. I know that you are in support of this government. You showed a sense of gratitude for the road our government constructed. I want us all to observe a minute’s silence for those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. All those who are affected, I want to assure you all that they will face the full wrath of the law.”
Adeleke noted, “On the demand of the suspense of Omoyele, you talked about, we are working on it. I have directed the Chairman of the Amotekun Board to go to Abuja to ensure a thorough investigation. I have ensured that those who are in the hospital are well taken care of. The ventilators they are requesting for the victims are underway. Their care is my priority at this time. I thank the youths that they are steadfast in ensuring peace.
“On the request for the suspension of the Amotekun Commandant, Isaac Omoyele, the matter is ongoing, as I’m talking to you, it has been handed over to the Amotekun Chairman, Wale Abass, for thorough investigation.”
The Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, prayed for the community and the victims of the attack, admonishing them to take solace in God.
In the address of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, who was represented by the DCP Operations, Taiwo Yusuf, assured the community of justice, describing the incident as unfortunate, and commended the community for upholding peace during the incident.
He said, “The sad event that happened, nobody is happy, it is an avoidable occurrence, but I want to assure the people of Akinlalu that we are not resting to ensure justice for the victims. I want to tell you today that we have arrested some Amotekun, over 20 of them.”