OSOGBO: The Osun State Amotekun Corps has petitioned the Nigerian Army over the killing of an Amotekun operative by a man it alleged is a soldier.
Public Relations Officer of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Yusuf Idowu Abass, who disclosed this in a statement on Osogbo said the tragic incident unfolded on the evening of Saturday, July 26, when an operative of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, Peter Samuel Tope, aged 35, was fatally attacked by a soldier in Ijeda, Ijesa land.
Citing an official statement released by the Corps Commander, Dr. Isaac Adekunle Omoyele, Abass said “the incident occurred around 5:45 pm when a soldier, identified as Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa, who was recently recruited into the Nigerian Army, launched an unprovoked assault on the Amotekun operative”.
“Eyewitness reports indicate that Fiyinfoluwa, dressed in military camouflage, approached the Amotekun station in Ijebu-Jesa with hostile intent. He allegedly declared that part of his reason for joining the army was to ‘deal decisively’ with Amotekun personnel”, the statement explained.
Shortly after, while Officer Tope was riding a motorcycle, the soldier and unidentified accomplices stopped him and launched a violent attack, the statement added.
“The assailants reportedly struck Tope on the head with a blunt object, causing him to fall from the bike. The brutal assault reportedly lasted for about 20 minutes, with no intervention, leaving Tope in a pool of blood.
“After the attack, the soldier reportedly fled the scene on a commercial motorcycle. Local Amotekun officers responded swiftly, rushed the injured officer to Wesley Hospital in Ilesa, and informed the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Jesa. A report was also made to Lt. Col. Yunusa Isyaku at the Engineering Cantonment in Ede.
“Unfortunately, despite efforts to save his life, Peter Samuel Tope succumbed to his injuries early Sunday morning.
“The incident has sparked outrage within the local community and heightened tensions between security agencies.
“Investigations are currently underway to determine the full circumstances of the attack and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops”, Abass added..
