Africa-Press – Nigeria. In the wake of a tragic incident at the Egungun Festival in Ikirun, Osun State, the Osun Amotekun Corps has denied allegations that its operatives were responsible for the fatal shooting of a masquerade follower.
The victim, identified only as Olubukola, was a truck driver affiliated with the Eko-Ende Tipper Motor Park and also a devoted adherent of the Orogun Meji masquerade.
he was reportedly shot during a procession on Monday, May 6, and later died in the hospital.
Eyewitnesses claimed that a scuffle broke out when some individuals allegedly attempted to seize the firearm of an Amotekun operative who had been hired by the masquerade group to provide security.
A witness had revealed that, “In the course of the parade, there was chaos. Some people tried to drag the rifle from the Amotekun officer, and in the confusion, Olubukola was shot in the leg.”
Despite immediate efforts to rush the victim to a nearby medical facility, Olubukola succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Osun State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, in a formal statement by its Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, and issued by its spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu Abass, distanced its operatives from the shooting.
Osun Amotekun also insisted that no personnel fired intentionally or mistakenly at any participant at the masquerade festival.
According to Omoyele, “During the event, some hoodlums launched an unprovoked attack on one of our operatives. While attempting to disarm him, the assailants inadvertently discharged the weapon, striking an innocent bystander.
“The shooter was not an Amotekun operative but one of the attackers. We immediately notified the Nigeria Police and commenced a joint investigation.”
He stated that the hoodlums fled the scene without successfully obtaining the firearm and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
The statement urged the public to disregard the misleading narratives that portrayed the Corps as the perpetrators of the act.
“These allegations are unfounded and only serve to incite mistrust and fear.”
The statement also called on media outlets to verify facts before publishing sensitive information, warning that false reports could compromise ongoing investigations and public confidence.
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