Tragedy struck in the Ijeda-Ijesa community of Oriade Local Government Area in Osun State on Saturday evening, as an operative of the Amotekun Corps, identified as Peter Samuel Tope, was allegedly attacked and killed by a soldier.
The Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, Isaac Omoyele, confirmed the incident in an official statement released on Sunday. According to the report, the incident occurred at about 5:45 p.m. when a soldier, identified as Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa, carried out what has been described as an unprovoked and brutal assault on the 35-year-old officer.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the soldier, clad in full military camouflage, arrived at the Amotekun post in Ijebu-Jesa with open hostility. According to witnesses, he boldly declared that one of his motivations for joining the Nigerian Army was to “deal decisively” with members of the Amotekun Corps.
Shortly after making this chilling statement, the soldier and a group of unidentified accomplices allegedly confronted Officer Tope as he was riding his motorcycle. They reportedly stopped him in his tracks and proceeded to unleash a violent attack.
The statement detailed that Tope was struck in the head with a blunt object, causing him to lose control and fall from his motorcycle. The assault, which allegedly continued for nearly 20 minutes without interruption or assistance from bystanders, left the officer severely injured and lying in a pool of blood.
Following the attack, the assailants, including the soldier, reportedly fled the scene on a commercial motorcycle.
Local Amotekun operatives, upon receiving the distress call, swiftly arrived at the scene and transported the critically injured Tope to Wesley Hospital in Ilesa. Simultaneously, they reported the incident to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Jesa and also notified the commanding officer of the Engineering Cantonment in Ede, Lt. Col. Yunusa Isyaku.
Despite the urgent medical intervention, Officer Tope sadly succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
Commander Omoyele expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the full details surrounding the attack. He further pledged that all individuals found to be involved in the heinous act will be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.