A tragic incident has unfolded in Osun State as the Amotekun Corps has accused a soldier of fatally assaulting one of its operatives, 35-year-old Officer Samuel Tope.
Peak Newspaper Nigeria reports that the Corps alleged that the attack, which took place on Saturday evening in the Ijeda-Ijesa area of the state, was carried out by a soldier identified as Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa, who was reportedly dressed in full military camouflage and accompanied by unidentified accomplices.
According to a statement released by the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Mr. Adekunle Omoyele, the assailant approached the Amotekun station in Ijebu-Jesa around 5:45 p.m. with apparent hostile intent.
“The soldier, Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa, who is said to be a recent recruit of the Nigerian Army, claimed he joined the military in part to ‘deal decisively’ with Amotekun personnel,” Omoyele said in the statement.
He added that Officer Tope was attacked while riding a motorcycle. The soldier and his associates reportedly stopped him and launched a brutal assault, striking him on the head with a blunt object. The beating lasted for approximately 20 minutes without intervention from bystanders.
Tope was left unconscious and in critical condition, lying in a pool of blood before being rescued by fellow operatives and rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa. The matter was also reported to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Jesa and the Engineering Cantonment in Ede, under the command of Colonel Yunusa Isyaku.
Despite efforts to save his life, Tope succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday.
Commander Omoyele condemned the attack and called for a full-scale investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. “This is a tragic loss for the Corps. We will ensure no stone is left unturned in pursuing justice for our fallen officer,” he said.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Nigerian Army nor the police had issued an official statement on the incident.
