At the very least three folks had been killed on Tuesday when bandits ambushed operatives of the Osun State Safety Community Company, Amotekun Corps, in Akinlalu, a group within the Ile-Ife axis of the state.
In a press release, Yusuf Idowu, spokesperson of the corps, mentioned 4 operatives from the Ile-Ife command had mobilised on bikes after residents raised an alarm over suspected hoodlums invading farmlands.
Idowu mentioned the operatives had been ambushed and dispossessed of two service rifles.
He added that reinforcement operatives deployed to the T-junction main into Akinlalu met the highway barricaded by the assailants, who instantly opened fireplace on them.
The spokesperson mentioned the confrontation triggered a fierce gun battle that lasted for over an hour.
“On the finish of the shootout, three of the hoodlums had been confirmed useless, three suspects arrested, whereas a number of others sustained accidents and fled the scene,” Idowu mentioned.
He added that two stolen firearms, uniforms and berets allegedly utilized by the hoodlums for impersonation had been recovered in a hideout believed to be linked to the attackers.
Reacting, Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps, Isaac Omoyele, condemned the ambush and reaffirmed the company’s resolve to guard lives and property.
His phrases: “This cowardly ambush won’t deter our operatives from finishing up their duties.
“The protection and safety of our folks stay our utmost precedence. We are going to intensify our efforts to root out legal components threatening peace in our communities.”
The commander urged residents to stay vigilant and supply well timed data to safety companies to help investigations.