Akinlalu Killings: Police storms Osun Amotekun’s offices, arrest personnel

No fewer than 20 operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps have reportedly been arrested by the Nigeria Police’s Intelligence Response Team, IRT, over their alleged involvement in the recent killings in Akinlalu, a community in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

Reliable sources revealed that the arrest was carried out on Wednesday evening by a team of policemen deployed from Abuja. The operation reportedly took place at the Amotekun operational bases located in Oke-Fia, Osogbo, and the Ife Central Division in Ile-Ife.

Recall that operatives of Amotekun had allegedly stormed Akinlalu Town, Ife North Local Government Area which resulted in the killing of seven people in the community.

An Amotekun source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the police personnel from Abuja stormed the Osun Amotekun offices in the two towns and arrested about twenty-five personnel on ground.

According to him, “On Wednesday, we gathered that Osun Amotekun offices in Ife Central Local Government Area and the Head Office Annexe, Osogbo, were raided by Nigeria Police IRT personnel from Abuja.

“In Osogbo, they arrested 20 Amotekun personnel on duty, and in Ife Central Local Government Area, they arrested five personnel.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command, in an updated statement, revealed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the Akinlalu killings.

The statement by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, issued through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, further revealed that ‎investigation carried out by the Police showed that the attackers are members of the Amotekun Corps.

He said, “‎Investigation carried out by the Police revealed that the attackers are members of the Amotekun Corps, and individuals were mentioned to have masterminded the attack, who victims and witnesses of the attack said they can identify if seen. ‎Meanwhile, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the case; efforts are in top gear to arrest other suspects at large.”

He also disclosed that the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, was invited to clarify his role in the deadly attack, but refused to honour the invitation.

He added that Omoyele later claimed that he was attacked by unknown gunmen wearing masks, which investigations revealed was a lie to conceal the truth and derail the course of justice for the victims.

The statement also confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the elite investigative body of the Force, the IRT-FID, to take over the case.