Families search for missing bodies 10 months after Akinlalu killings

Ten months after a violent incident in Akinlalu, Ile-Ife, Osun State, families of two victims are still grappling with the agonizing uncertainty of their loved ones' whereabouts. The tragedy, which occurred on September 30, 2025, claimed the lives of four people and injured eight others, but the remains of Oyebamiji Ibrahim and Oyebamiji Ismaila have yet to be found.

Residents allege that operatives of the Western Security Network, known as Amotekun, invaded the community and opened fire. According to a community leader, the incident began when operatives arrived in response to a locally fabricated firearm allegedly seized by a suspect. The operatives reportedly began shooting in the town center, killing three people instantly and injuring several others. The operatives then allegedly took the bodies of the deceased and the critically injured.

While the bodies of two other victims, Sefiu Oyebamiji and Abiola Olutayo, have been identified and deposited in morgues in Ile-Ife and Osogbo respectively, the families of Ibrahim and Ismaila have found no closure. One injured victim, Abiola, later died at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Sefiu, also injured, was discharged but reportedly died about two months prior to the report, with his remains also in a morgue.

The ongoing search for the missing bodies has prolonged the grief and anguish for the families of Ibrahim and Ismaila. The incident has left the Akinlalu community in fear and demanding answers about the events of that day and the loss of life.

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In the process, three persons were killed on the spot, and several others were severely injured. Surprisingly, the operatives took away the bodies of those killed as well as those who were critically injured.