A young soldier’s return to his hometown in Ijeda-Ijesa, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, for his traditional wedding has ended in tragedy following a violent confrontation that claimed the life of an Amotekun officer and left another critically injured. The soldier, identified as Fiyinfoluwa Opejobi, had reportedly arrived in town earlier in the week to prepare for his wedding. But events took a dark turn after he allegedly confronted a local Amotekun operative who had previously accused him of involvement in a robbery. According to community sources, Opejobi was initially invited to the Amotekun post in Ijeda-Ijesa to answer questions relating to a robbery in the area. One of the corps operatives allegedly accused him of complicity, which infuriated the soldier. After completing his traditional wedding rites on Saturday, Opejobi reportedly discussed the issue with two of his friends, and together, they went in search of the Amotekun officer who had made the accusation. The group allegedly located the operative near Ijesa Roundabout and assaulted him until he lost consciousness. The incident prompted a swift response from the Amotekun Corps, who began searching for Opejobi and his accomplices. Sources said the operatives traced the soldier to a nearby hotel where he was staying. When the operatives arrived, Opejobi and his friends, dressed in parts of military uniform, were said to have anticipated their arrival and allegedly launched a counterattack before the officers could act. In the ensuing clash, Amotekun operative Samuel Tope was killed, while another officer was seriously injured. Eyewitnesses revealed that the confrontation was intense and brutal, with Tope being ambushed and struck repeatedly with a metal object. The suspect and his group reportedly fled the scene on a commercial motorcycle after the attack, leaving chaos in their wake.
Confirming the incident, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Osun State, Adekunle Omoyele, stated that the attack appeared to be premeditated. He alleged that the soldier had earlier stormed the Amotekun post at Ijebu-Jesa, threatening to retaliate against those who had implicated him. According to Omoyele, the late officer was ambushed while riding a motorcycle and was severely beaten for nearly twenty minutes. The second operative who was attacked remains in the hospital receiving treatment. Omoyele described the incident as a grave and calculated assault on the Corps and called on the relevant authorities to ensure justice is served.
The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the killing. Police spokesperson SP Yemisi Opalola confirmed the death of the Amotekun officer and stated that the soldier had used a jackknife in the attack. She added that one of the victims died on the way to the hospital, while the other was in critical condition. The motive behind the attack is believed to stem from a previous altercation involving accusations of robbery. While police are yet to apprehend the suspect, efforts are ongoing to locate him and bring him to justice.
Efforts to get an official response from the Nigerian Army have been unsuccessful. A senior officer contacted at the Ede Military Barracks responded only by advising the reporter to visit the barracks in person to verify the matter. Meanwhile, the community remains in shock over the incident, which has cast a dark shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion. Many residents are calling for swift action from both the police and military authorities to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice and to prevent future conflicts between local security agencies and military personnel.