Some gunmen on Wednesday attacked the Papa area of Iwo in Osun State and killed one Lamidi Abiodun, an operative of the South-West Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps.

The spokesperson for Osun Amotekun Corps, Yusuf Idowu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Idowu said Amotekun operatives, along with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, responded to distress calls by farmers in Papa village after attacks on their farmlands.

He said, “It is deeply saddened to announce the tragic death of one of its operatives, Mr Lamidi Abiodun, who was killed during an ambush by suspected armed hoodlums at the Papa boundary area in Iwo, Osun State.

“Upon arriving at the location, the team was ambushed by a group of armed men allegedly led by a notorious criminal known as Akeem Olofa, who has been a menace in the region. During the confrontation, Mr Abiodun was attacked. Although initial gunfire did not penetrate his body, he was brutally assaulted with a machete to the head and died instantly at the scene.”

Mr Idowu said that although most of the operatives escaped the ambush, one Alex Sola was shot in the leg, and a member of the VGN, Nurudeen Alowonle, has since gone missing.

“One member of the VGN, identified as Nurudeen Alowonle, remains unaccounted for as of the time of this report, and one Alex Sola was shot in the leg. The tragic loss of Mr Abiodun has sent waves of grief throughout the Amotekun Corps and the entire security community in Osun State,” he added.

He said the attack had been reported at the Iwo Police Divisional Headquarters, and an investigation is underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Idowu added that the deceased had been deposited at a mortuary for further procedures.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Mr Lamidi Abiodun and stand united in honour of his bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” Mr Idowu added.