Ola Akinwunmi
In a shocking escalation of violence, a notorious gang led by wanted fugitive Ismaila Aluko launched twin attacks on the Osun State Amotekun Corps’ Awo Command, leaving five officers injured and raising alarms over community security. The brazen assaults, which occurred last weekend in Egbedore Local Government Area, unfolded after local authorities sought intervention in a dispute over an illegal burial on ancestral land.
According to a Monday statement by Amotekun spokesperson Yusuf Idowu, the crisis began when the Oniwoye of Iwoye, a traditional leader, alerted the corps to halt an unauthorized burial. Four operatives dispatched to the site discovered the interment had already taken place—only to be ambushed by Aluko’s gang, who emerged from hiding with armed collaborators.“The operatives were brutally attacked and forced into a tactical withdrawal to avoid further bloodshed,” Idowu stated.
However, the violence escalated hours later when the gang regrouped and stormed the Amotekun command office in Awo, launching a second assault even as police officers, a Department of State Services (DSS) agent, and family members of the assailants looked on.
The second attack, described by Idowu as “a direct threat to community peace,” saw assailants attempting to disarm Amotekun personnel while inflicting multiple injuries. One officer sustained serious wounds, while four others suffered minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported chaos as the gang openly defied the security presence, underscoring the audacity of Aluko’s crew, long sought for prior crimes.“This brazen assault occurred in full view of law enforcement deployed to investigate the initial incident,” Idowu emphasized. “It is an unconscionable challenge to the rule of law.”
The Osun Amotekun Corps has vowed to collaborate with the police, DSS, and other agencies to apprehend Aluko and his cohorts. Idowu reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to “protecting lives, property, and peace,” urging residents to remain vigilant.The incident has sparked outcry among locals, with many demanding swift justice. “If armed gangs can attack security forces in broad daylight, what hope do ordinary citizens have?” asked Awo resident, Kemi Adeyemi.
Authorities have not disclosed additional details pending ongoing investigations, but confirmed that Aluko remains at large. The attack highlights mounting tensions over land disputes and the urgent need for reinforced security in Nigeria’s southwest.