The death toll from last Tuesday’s shooting incident in Akinlalu town, Osun State, has risen to four after one of the injured victims died on Saturday.
Residents said the shootings were carried out by operatives of the Osun Amotekun Corps, who allegedly stormed the community at noon over claims that a suspect had seized a locally-made weapon from one of their members.
A resident, Mr Babarinde Olamide, who spoke for the community, said the operatives arrived in three vehicles and began shooting randomly when they got to the town square.
“In the process, three persons were killed on the spot and several others severely injured. Those who tried to run were also attacked with cutlasses,” he said.
He added that the operatives allegedly took away the bodies of those killed and some of the injured victims.
“We later heard that one of those taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo died after surgery early Saturday,” Olamide said.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered a full investigation and sent a government delegation to Akinlalu.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said he had directed the state Security Council to meet over the issue and other security concerns in the region.
“I am a rule of law governor. This matter is being investigated and any infraction will be dealt with within the context of the law,” Adeleke said.
He also sent his condolences to the victims’ families and appealed to residents to remain calm.
“I urge the people of Akinlalu to keep calm as our government acts on the matter. I feel their pain, but investigations are ongoing,” he added.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state condemned the killings and accused the Amotekun Corps of engaging in extra-judicial actions.
The party called on Governor Adeleke to ensure transparency in the investigation and bring those responsible to justice.
