The Commander of the Osun State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adekunle Omoyele, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on Monday night after being ambushed by gunmen in Osogbo.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the corps spokesperson, Mr. Abass Yusuf, the attack occurred at about 10:05 p.m. along Ikirun Road, directly opposite Charity Hotel in the state capital.
Yusuf revealed that Omoyele was driving home alone after completing official duties when unidentified gunmen suddenly opened fire on his vehicle, riddling it with bullets. Despite sustaining gunshot injuries, the commander managed to survive the assault.
“It is deeply troubling that the Amotekun commander could be targeted in such a coordinated and vicious manner,” Yusuf said, adding that the incident appeared to be a carefully planned attempt on Omoyele’s life.
In a disturbing twist, Yusuf disclosed that shortly after the ambush, about 15 armed men wearing masks stormed Omoyele’s private residence. Eyewitnesses said the assailants arrived in a white Hilux van and a black Toyota Highlander SUV, firing sporadically before fleeing the scene.
“The fact that the attackers appeared both on the road and at his residence suggests a high level of coordination and intelligence gathering,” Yusuf said, noting that the incident had sparked concerns over the safety of top-ranking security officials in the state.
He described the attack as not only a threat to Omoyele’s life but also “an assault on the symbol of community-based security architecture” in Osun.
The Amotekun spokesperson urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, appealing to the public to share credible information that could assist ongoing investigations. “The corps calls on citizens to report any suspicious movements or activities in their neighbourhoods to local security agencies for prompt response,” he said.
Yusuf confirmed that the Amotekun commander is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility under strict protective watch. “Mr. Omoyele is stable and responding to treatment, but he remains under guard to prevent any further attempt on his life,” he added.
He further disclosed that the case has been formally reported to the Ota-Efun Police Division in Osogbo, where investigations have begun to identify and apprehend the culprits behind the attack.
Security analysts in Osogbo have since raised concerns that the incident reflects a worrying trend of targeted attacks on security operatives and local vigilance groups in the South-West. Some residents who spoke under anonymity expressed fear that the attack could embolden criminal elements operating in the area.
The Osun State Government has yet to issue an official statement, but sources close to the Ministry of Security and Home Affairs confirmed that authorities have been briefed and are monitoring the situation closely.
As of Tuesday evening, security had been tightened around strategic locations in Osogbo, with increased patrols by Amotekun operatives, police officers, and other sister agencies.
Yusuf concluded that the corps remains undeterred and committed to safeguarding lives and property in Osun State. “This cowardly act will not weaken our resolve,” he said. “Rather, it will strengthen our determination to flush out criminal elements and ensure that peace and safety prevail across the state.
