The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has lost two of its personnel in an ambush by suspected criminal elements in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. The attack occurred as the officers were leaving their base in the Ago-Oyinbo farming area, near Ala-Daadaa, where they were reportedly carrying out their security duties.
Attack and Casualties
According to the Nigerian Tribune, the assailants launched a surprise attack on the officers, resulting in a fierce exchange of gunfire between both sides. Despite the resistance put up by the security personnel, two Amotekun officers were fatally wounded in the attack. The deceased have been identified as Oniyide Raifi, also known as Soldier, and Adebusuyi Kayode, also known as Omega. Another officer sustained injuries during the exchange.
The Public Relations Officer of Ondo Amotekun, Jimoh Adeniken, confirmed the incident, stating that the officers came under sudden attack by assailants, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. He confirmed that two officers lost their lives, while another sustained fatal injuries, noting that only three casualties were earlier recorded.
Response and Security Operations
Following the attack, the Amotekun Corps immediately mobilised reinforcements to the area in an effort to track down the assailants and prevent them from escaping. The Corps also intensified patrols and intelligence gathering within and around the affected communities, with a view to identifying the perpetrators and preventing a recurrence of the incident.
Adeniken said reinforcements were immediately deployed to the area to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He added that security operations, patrols, and intelligence gathering had been intensified within the affected communities to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of the safety of their lives and property.
Condolences and Family Appeals
The Amotekun spokesperson said the Ondo State Governor, the Corps Commander, and the management of Amotekun commiserated with the families, colleagues, and loved ones of the fallen officers, describing them as gallant personnel who paid the supreme price in the service of the state. The Corps urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and to provide security agencies with credible information that could assist in identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
The PRO of the command said the incident would not deter the Corps from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state. The statement further said the Corps was working with other security agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure that they were brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the families of the fallen officers appreciated the Ondo State Government, the Corps Commander, and the management of Amotekun for making arrangements for the befitting burial of their deceased relatives. While mourning their loved ones, the families appealed to the state government to remember the dependants of the fallen officers in future recruitment exercises into the Amotekun Corps. They also called for welfare support and other benefits for the families to cushion the impact of losing their breadwinners.
The families said such measures would not only support the dependants but also demonstrate the government’s appreciation of the sacrifice made by officers who lost their lives in the service of the state. The Amotekun command reiterated its commitment to tracking down the perpetrators and strengthening security operations in the affected area.
