•Amotekun Corps
Tension gripped Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State today after gunmen ambushed a patrol team of the Amotekun Corps, leaving three people dead.
It was learnt that the assailants had earlier attacked a farmland in the area, prompting a resident to alert Amotekun operatives in Ile-Ife, reports The Nation.
However, as the patrol team made its way to the community, the gunmen, already aware of their movement, launched a deadly ambush.
Confirming the incident, Osun Amotekun Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Abass, said the patrol team was attacked while heading to Akinlalu to confront a group that had been terrorising the community.
He added that during the assault, the assailants also carted away two service rifles belonging to the operatives.
He said, “However, the outfit reinforced operatives who went to the town. At the T-junction leading into Akinlalu, the road was found barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire on the operatives, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted for over an hour.
“Amotekun operatives successfully overpowered the gunmen and three lives were lost, we arrested three while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene.”
He added that the outfit recovered two firearms along with force uniforms and berets used by the hoodlums for impersonation.
These items were discovered in a hideout believed to be connected to the attackers.
