Osun Killings: Gov. Adeleke denies hiding Amotekun Commander, carpets APC

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied allegations by the All Progressives Congress that he is harbouring the Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Omoyele, who is being sought by the police in connection with the killing of some residents of Akinlalu community by operatives of the security agency.

The Osun APC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, and made available in Osogbo on Sunday, accused the governor of shielding Omoyele from arrest, describing the alleged act as “condemnable, irresponsible, wicked, and unpatriotic.”

The opposition party challenged Adeleke to demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice by assisting the police in their investigation and handing over the Amotekun boss to security operatives.

The opposition party said, “If the news flying around in Osogbo, the state capital, is anything to go by—that Omoyele, one of the crucial suspects in the dastardly act at Akinlalu, has been hibernating in the Government House to evade police arrest—then Governor Adeleke must take responsibility.

“As a self-acclaimed patriot and believer in the rule of law, Governor Adeleke should, without further delay, hand over the state commander of the Amotekun to the police for them to carry out a thorough investigation into the Akinlalu killings that have become a national embarrassment.”

The APC noted that although Adeleke had earlier commended the police for their “diligent and professional” handling of the investigation into the killings, such praise would amount to lip service if he continued to protect Omoyele.

The party also claimed that the governor’s alleged role in shielding suspects was consistent with his “pattern of aiding and abetting impunity,” adding, “It is now the case with his former Chief Security Officer, Omoyele, who has been out of circulation since his alleged assassination attempt story was deflated by the police.”

However, Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the allegations as baseless, saying they were “another example of a losing party struggling for relevance.”

Adeleke reaffirmed his administration’s faith in the police investigation and insisted that his government would not interfere in the process.

“The Akinlalu matter is a question of law and order, and the Inspector-General of Police has acted on the matter,” the statement read. “The police are conducting an active investigation, and our government will not intervene or interfere.

“I caution our people to avoid the temptation to politicise the unfortunate incident.

We should allow due process to take its course without let or hindrance. The opposition’s allegations are unfounded and baseless. The Osun APC, in want of direction and strategy, has grown to be a constant purveyor of fake news.

“We will not succumb to blackmail or surrender to a party that is more interested in destabilising the state than delivering on good governance.”

The Osun Amotekun Corps has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons since Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when its operatives reportedly invaded Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area and shot several residents, killing three people.

The attack drew widespread condemnation from the public and civil society groups, who accused the security outfit of excessive use of force and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the officers involved.

A police report made available to journalists after the incident listed those killed as Ibrahim Oyebamiji (26 years old), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo, while the injured victims included Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19).

The Osun State Police Command also confirmed that Amotekun operatives took away the corpses of the deceased from the scene of the incident.

However, the leadership of the Amotekun Corps admitted that its operatives killed three people during the clash but claimed that the victims were part of a group that engaged its men in a gun duel.

According to the Corps, its operatives were ambushed by hoodlums while attempting to recover two rifles that had earlier been snatched from its men during an earlier confrontation in the area.

Following the outrage that trailed the killings, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered a special team from the Force Headquarters to take over the investigation.

The team subsequently arrested five Amotekun operatives believed to be involved in the operation.

However, the Amotekun commander, Omoyele, has reportedly failed to honour police invitations to explain his role in the Akinlalu operation—a development that triggered the APC’s latest accusation against Governor Adeleke.

While the police investigation continues, the controversy has deepened political tensions in the state, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the APC trading blame over what both sides describe as an avoidable tragedy.