The Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, Dekunle Omoyele, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt following a violent ambush by gunmen in Osogbo on Monday night.
The incident was officially confirmed in a statement released by the corps’ spokesperson, Abass Yusuf, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the attack occurred at approximately 10:05 p.m. on Ikirun Road, opposite the Charity Hotel. The commander was driving home alone after official duties when unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle, leaving it riddled with bullets.
The spokesperson described the incident as deeply troubling, revealing that the roadside ambush was part of a coordinated assault. On the same day, a group of fifteen masked and armed men reportedly stormed Commander Omoyele’s private residence. Witnesses stated that the assailants arrived at the residence in a Hilux van and a Toyota Highlander SUV.
“It is deeply troubling that the Amotekun commander could be targeted in such a coordinated and vicious manner,” Mr. Yusuf stated. He emphasized that the attack on a top-ranking security official raises serious concerns about the escalating insecurity confronting those tasked with protecting the state.
The commander sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed facility, where he is under protective watch. The Amotekun Corps has reported the incident to the Ota-Efun police division, and investigations are now ongoing.
In its statement, the corps urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant, advising them to report any suspicious activities to local security agencies for prompt action. The spokesperson framed the assault as an attack on the very institution of local security, stating, “The attack is not just an attack on one man but on the symbol of the localised security structure.”
