Arrests of Amotekun Operatives Spark Controversy
At least 20 operatives from the Osun State Amotekun Corps were arrested by a special squad of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday. The arrests were linked to the killings that occurred in Akinlalu, a community within the Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State. The police team, reportedly deployed from Abuja, stormed the operational bases of the Amotekun Corps located in Oke-Fia, Osogbo, and Ife Central Division, Ile-Ife.
According to sources, the officers arrived unannounced and took away all Amotekun personnel found at the premises. While the bases in Oke-Fia and Ife Central were later sealed, the headquarters of the corps at Powerline, Osogbo, remained open when a correspondent visited around 7:40 p.m.
The spokesperson for Osun Amotekun, Yusuf Idowu, confirmed the arrests and stated that the police action was connected to the Akinlalu incident. He mentioned that some policemen arrived but did not seal the headquarters. Instead, they raided the operation base in Oke-Fia and the Ife Central Command, arresting about 20 operatives. Idowu expressed uncertainty about where the personnel were taken.
The Osun Police Command spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest but claimed only five Amotekun men were taken into custody, contradicting the corps’ statement. Ojelabi added that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had taken over the investigation into the killings and the reported assassination attempt on the Amotekun Commander, Brig. Gen. Isaac Omoyele (retd.).
“The IGP has ordered the elite investigative body of the Force, the IRT-FID, to take over the case,” Ojelabi said. “Investigation revealed that the attackers were members of Amotekun Corps. Five suspects have been arrested, while others remain at large.”
Ojelabi also disclosed that Omoyele was invited to explain his role in the attack but failed to honour the invitation. Efforts to reach him via phone were unsuccessful as his line was switched off. Later, Omoyele went on social media on October 6, 2025, claiming he was attacked by unknown armed men wearing masks. However, preliminary investigations suggested this claim was fabricated to derail justice.
The command urged the public to disregard the alleged assassination claim and remain law-abiding, assuring that peace had been restored in the state.
The Akinlalu Incident and Its Aftermath
The arrest of the operatives came in the wake of the September 29 invasion of Akinlalu, where Amotekun personnel allegedly opened fire on residents, killing three people and injuring several others. The victims were identified by police as Ibrahim Oyebamiji (26), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo. Those injured included Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19). Police stated that the corps operatives took away the corpses of the deceased after the incident.
Amotekun, however, claimed that its men were ambushed by hoodlums while on a mission to recover two rifles earlier seized from its operatives, insisting that the deaths occurred during a crossfire. This conflicting narrative has led to widespread outrage across the state, with residents and families of the victims demanding justice and a thorough review of Amotekun’s operations.
Calls for Justice and Peace
On Sunday, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyewusi, led a delegation of lawmakers to Akinlalu. At the palace of the Alakinla of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, Oyewusi sympathized with the families of the victims. He assured residents that the state government and security agencies were investigating the killings and would ensure justice.
“Ife North is a peaceful region. We want to assure our people that the government and the police have begun investigations, and justice will be served,” Oyewusi said. He appealed to the community’s youths to remain calm and allow due process to take its course, adding that the government would support the affected families.
