Tension flared in Osun State following the death of a 35-year-old operative of the Amotekun Corps, Peter Samuel Tope, who was allegedly attacked by a soldier identified as Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa in Ijeda-Ijesa community.
According to a statement released by the Osun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Omoyele, the deceased was ambushed on Saturday evening while riding a motorcycle.
The soldier, reportedly in the company of unidentified accomplices and dressed in full military camouflage, allegedly struck Tope with a blunt object, causing severe head injuries.
“The incident happened around 5:45 p.m.,” Omoyele explained. “The soldier, who was freshly recruited into the Nigerian Army, approached our station in Ijebu-Jesa with aggression and declared that part of his mission in the military was to deal decisively with Amotekun officers.”
Omoyele said that shortly after making the threat, Fiyinfoluwa and his group intercepted Tope, forcibly stopped his motorcycle, and launched a violent assault on him.
“They hit him on the head and beat him mercilessly for nearly 20 minutes. No one intervened. He was left unconscious in a pool of blood,” he added.
Tope was immediately rushed to the Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa by fellow corps operatives, but he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
The Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Jesa and the Nigerian Army Engineering Cantonment in Ede were promptly notified about the incident.
“This is a painful loss,” Omoyele stated. “We are demanding a full investigation. This cannot be swept under the carpet. Justice must be served.”
