Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a full investigation into the recent killing of some residents of Akinlalu Community by operatives of the Amotekun Corps.
The governor has subsequently dispatched a top-level government delegation to the affected community to find out what transpired on the day of the incident.
Adeleke’s decision to probe the incident was contained in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, made available to the journalists in Osogbo on Saturday.
Rasheed said his principal expressed deep shock at the deaths of some individuals from the town after receiving a preliminary report from his Special Adviser on Security Matters.
“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 threats in the state,” the statement read.
He vowed to dig into the root of the incident, saying 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 include 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 further said.
Meanwhile, the Omoluabi Progressives, a political group backed by the ex-Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has expressed concern over “The reckless shooting by operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps in Akinlalu Village, Ife North Local Government, which led to the needless loss of innocent lives and inflicted untold trauma on the community.”
The group, in a statement signed by its Publicity and Organising Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, further stated, “We condemn, in the strongest terms, this act of lawlessness and lack of professional restraint on the part of those entrusted with the duty of protecting our people. It is most disheartening that the Amotekun security outfit established to safeguard lives and property could descend into such a level of indiscriminate violence against the very citizens it is meant to defend.”
It further said Adeleke should be held responsible for the misconduct of his employees, urging the State Government to immediately caution Amotekun operatives, investigate the heinous incident, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“To the good people of Akinlalu, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones, the injured, and all residents who have been thrown into fear and mourning. May God grant the departed eternal rest, comfort the bereaved, and heal the wounded hearts. Losing three children from one family by any standard is calamitous.
“We demand that justice be served to those who lost their loved ones; that those who are receiving treatment in hospitals be given the best medical care; that families whose property were destroyed and looted by the rampaging operatives be adequately compensated; and, most importantly, that the perpetrators of this heinous act be identified, prosecuted, and brought to book without delay,” the group said.
