Amotekun officer dies after alleged unprovoked attack by soldier

A tragic incident has rocked the Osun State Security Network, Amotekun Corps, following the death of one of its officers, 35-year-old Samuel Tope, who was allegedly attacked by a soldier in the Ijeda-Ijesa area.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Corps Commander, Mr. Adekunle Omoyele, the fatal assault occurred on Saturday evening when a soldier, identified as Fiyinfoluwa and dressed in full military gear, reportedly launched an unprovoked attack on Tope. The assailant was said to be accompanied by unidentified individuals during the incident.

Tope sustained a severe head injury and was rushed to Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa, where he sadly passed away in the early hours of Sunday while receiving treatment.

Recounting the incident, the statement read in part: “The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. when a soldier, identified as Opejobi Fiyinfoluwa, who was recently recruited into the Nigerian Army, launched an unprovoked assault on the Amotekun operative.

“Fiyinfoluwa, dressed in military camouflage, approached the Amotekun station in Ijebu-Jesa with hostile intent. He allegedly declared that part of his reason for joining the Army was to ‘deal decisively’ with Amotekun personnel.

“Shortly after, while Officer Tope was riding a motorcycle, the soldier and his accomplices stopped him and launched a violent attack.”

The statement continued: “The assailants reportedly struck Tope on the head with a blunt object, causing him to fall from the bike. The brutal assault lasted for about 20 minutes, with no intervention, leaving Tope in a pool of blood.

“After the attack, the soldier fled the scene on a commercial motorcycle.”

Following the incident, other operatives from the Corps were said to have rushed Tope to the hospital and alerted the police division in Ijebu-Jesa. A formal report was also submitted to Lt. Col. Yunusa Isyaku at the Engineering Cantonment in Ede.

“Unfortunately, despite efforts to save his life, Officer Peter Samuel Tope succumbed to his injuries early Sunday morning,” Omoyele added.

The Corps has called for a comprehensive investigation and pledged to pursue justice for the slain officer.

“No effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice,” the Corps Commander vowed.