The Osun State Police Command has arrested five members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as the Amotekun Corps, over their alleged role in an attack that resulted in the deaths of several residents in Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government Area.
In a statement released Wednesday night, police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the arrests, explaining that they followed investigations into the September 30, 2025 incident. The attack reportedly occurred after Amotekun operatives allegedly invaded Akinlalu to retaliate for two pump-action rifles said to have been seized from them by unidentified individuals.
Ojelabi stated that the operatives arrived in both official patrol and private vehicles, fired shots indiscriminately, and injured three people — Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19).
Three others — Ibrahim Oyebamiji (26), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo — were reportedly killed, and their bodies taken away by the operatives.
He added that police investigations confirmed the attackers as members of the Osun Amotekun Corps, noting that witnesses had identified some of the suspects now in custody. Efforts, he said, are ongoing to apprehend others still on the run.
Ojelabi also accused the Amotekun Commander in Osun State, Isaac Omoyele, of evading police invitation over the case.
He said Omoyele had switched off his phones and instead staged an alleged assassination attempt to mislead the public and derail police investigation.
“The Commander of Amotekun Corps has refused to honour the police invitation. Instead, he took to social media to claim he was attacked by unknown gunmen — a claim our preliminary enquiry revealed to be fictitious and aimed at obstructing justice,” Ojelabi stated.
He added that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Force Intelligence Department to take over the case for a comprehensive investigation.
Meanwhile, the Osun Amotekun Corps, in its defence, claimed the incident was a gun battle with armed hoodlums who had earlier ambushed its operatives responding to a distress call in Akinlalu.
In a separate statement, the Corps spokesperson, Idowu Yusuf, said the attackers had earlier seized three rifles from Amotekun operatives, prompting a reinforcement team to respond.
He explained that during the ensuing confrontation, three people, believed to be among the attackers, lost their lives, while others were injured or arrested.
According to Yusuf, the Corps later recovered two of its stolen rifles, along with uniforms and berets, from the hideout of the assailants.
He maintained that the operatives acted in defence while responding to a security emergency and did not deliberately attack residents.
Police assured that Osun State remains peaceful and urged residents to disregard unverified claims as investigations continue.