The Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) codenamed Operation Amotekun in Oyo State may have started on a shaky note as two persons were alleged to have been killed by men of the newly launched security outfit.
According to multiple sources, one Sikiru Apanpa who is a member of Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and personnel of Amotekun shot dead Afeez Lotto and Akin Owoaga in a fracas that ensued at Isale Osi area of Ibadan. While exiting the community, Amotekun corps were also accused of shooting at an old man named Matthew Owolabi. The victim was said to have reported the incident at Mapo and Babaganku Police Stations.
The Pacesetter News reliably gathered that men of Mapo Police Station have apprehended one Saheed who was said to have invited Amotekun corps.
However, the Oyo State Commandant of Amotekun – Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd), denied the killings allegation. Giving the account of what transpired,Colonel Olayanju said there was a crisis around Born Photo/Isale Osi area, where Dr. Faseun faction of the OPC faction was trying to deal with some hoodlums.
According to him, “Amotekun corps were returning from an operation where a Lebanese man was rescued from his abductors on December 15 when they were invited. By the time we got there, we saw that the OPC members and the hoodlums were already exchanging gunfire, but our operatives and Operation Burst were able to bring the situation under control. We arrested some suspects and handed them over to Operation Burst”.
Olayinka said that shortly after leaving the scene of incident, the hoodlums regrouped and launched an attack on an OPC member, who is also a member of Amotekun in the area. He then called his OPC colleagues who came to his rescue.
Olayinka stressed that there was no time Amotekun shot at citizens. “We only met the hoodlums and OPC members exchanging gunfire when we got to the scene. One of the hoodlums was hit during the crossfires. He didn’t die at the spot. We learnt he later died at home”.
“Investigations have commenced with a view to arresting the hoodlums. However, it is so unfortunate that some media organisations published that an Amotekun operative shot and killed some people” the statement concluded.
Corroborating Colonel Olayinka, media consultant to Amotekun, Yemi Ogunseye, stated that the incident did not happen when the Amotekun operative was on official duty. He said that it would be unfair to say that Amotekun shot someone.
Ogunseye said Amotekun only responded to a distress call by members of the community when the hoodlums and OPC members were exchanging gunshot.
Governor Seyi Makinde, on 18th November 2020, inaugurated Amotekun.
