Killings and attacks that have characterised the boundary communities between Iwo/Ayedire Local Government Areas in Osun, and Lagelu LGA in Oyo State resurged on Wednesday following a deadly ambush on security agents allegedly by some armed hoodlums.
A statement by the Osun State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps on Thursday, disclosed that some hoodlums armed with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons attacked farmers on their farmlands on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the Papa Farm area in Iwo is within the proximity of the disputed boundary.
In the last few weeks, no fewer than two lives have been lost while hundreds of residents in the affected areas have been forced to flee their villages for fear of attacks.
Many houses had been burnt while other valuable property destroyed.
Despite interventions by security chiefs, traditional rulers and governors of Oyo and Osun, the onslaughts continue.
Yusuf Abass, the Public Relations Officer of
Osun Amotekun Corps, said that the boundary conflict resurfaced on Wednesday when some local farmers operating in Papa Farm area made distress call to the corps’ command, alerting them of invasion by some armed hoodlums.
He stated that the command swiftly mobilized a team of operatives including some vigilantes and arrived the location. Unfortunately, Abass said the attackers macheted one of its personnel identified as Lamidi Abiodun to death on the spot and injured another.
According to him, one of the vigilante team has been missing as of the time of this report.
“The Osun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, is deeply saddened to announce the tragic death of one of its operatives, Mr. Lamidi Abiodun, who was killed during an ambush by suspected armed hoodlums at the Papa boundary area in Iwo, Osun State.
“The farmers alerted the Iwo Area Command of Osun Amotekun Corps about an ongoing attack on their farmland. In swift response, a team of Amotekun operatives, in company with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), mobilized to the scene to confront the threat and safeguard lives and property.
“Upon arriving at the location, the team was ambushed by a group of armed men allegedly led by a notorious criminal known as Akeem Olofa, who has been a menace in the region. During the confrontation, Mr. Abiodun was attacked. Although initial gunfire did not penetrate his body, he was brutally assaulted with a machete to the head and died instantly at the scene.
“While most of the operatives managed to escape the ambush, one member of the VGN identified as Nurudeen Alowonle remains unaccounted for as of the time of this report and one Alex Sola was shot on the leg,” he explained.
Mourning its loss, the command noted that, “The tragic loss of Mr. Abiodun has sent waves of grief throughout the Amotekun Corps and the entire security community in Osun State.”
“The incident has been formally reported to the Nigeria Police in Iwo, and the body of the fallen hero has been deposited at a local mortuary for further procedures. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps remains resolute in its mission to protect the people and communities of Osun State from all forms of insecurity. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Lamidi Abiodun and stand united in honor of his bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Abass said.sun-Oyo boundary crisis resurges as gunmen kill Amotekun operative, attack farmers
TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Killings and attacks that have characterised the boundary communities between Iwo/Ayedire Local Government Areas in Osun, and Lagelu LGA in Oyo State resurged on Wednesday following a deadly ambush on security agents allegedly by some armed hoodlums.
A statement by the Osun State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps on Thursday, disclosed that some hoodlums armed with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons attacked farmers on their farmlands on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the Papa Farm area in Iwo is within the proximity of the disputed boundary.
In the last few weeks, no fewer than two lives have been lost while hundreds of residents in the affected areas have been forced to flee their villages for fear of attacks.
Many houses had been burnt while other valuable property destroyed.
Despite interventions by security chiefs, traditional rulers and governors of Oyo and Osun, the onslaughts continue.
Yusuf Abass, the Public Relations Officer of
Osun Amotekun Corps, said that the boundary conflict resurfaced on Wednesday when some local farmers operating in Papa Farm area made distress call to the corps’ command, alerting them of invasion by some armed hoodlums.
He stated that the command swiftly mobilized a team of operatives including some vigilantes and arrived the location. Unfortunately, Abass said the attackers macheted one of its personnel identified as Lamidi Abiodun to death on the spot and injured another.
According to him, one of the vigilante team has been missing as of the time of this report.
“The Osun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, is deeply saddened to announce the tragic death of one of its operatives, Mr. Lamidi Abiodun, who was killed during an ambush by suspected armed hoodlums at the Papa boundary area in Iwo, Osun State.
“The farmers alerted the Iwo Area Command of Osun Amotekun Corps about an ongoing attack on their farmland. In swift response, a team of Amotekun operatives, in company with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), mobilized to the scene to confront the threat and safeguard lives and property.
“Upon arriving at the location, the team was ambushed by a group of armed men allegedly led by a notorious criminal known as Akeem Olofa, who has been a menace in the region. During the confrontation, Mr. Abiodun was attacked. Although initial gunfire did not penetrate his body, he was brutally assaulted with a machete to the head and died instantly at the scene.
“While most of the operatives managed to escape the ambush, one member of the VGN identified as Nurudeen Alowonle remains unaccounted for as of the time of this report and one Alex Sola was shot on the leg,” he explained.
Mourning its loss, the command noted that, “The tragic loss of Mr. Abiodun has sent waves of grief throughout the Amotekun Corps and the entire security community in Osun State.”
“The incident has been formally reported to the Nigeria Police in Iwo, and the body of the fallen hero has been deposited at a local mortuary for further procedures. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps remains resolute in its mission to protect the people and communities of Osun State from all forms of insecurity. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Lamidi Abiodun and stand united in honor of his bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Abass said.