Two persons have been confirmed dead while several others were critically injured during a clash between the operatives of the Western Security Network, codenamed, Operation Amotekun and the youths of Obada community of Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State on Wednesday night.
FirstNews gathered that the dead victims were felled during exchange of gun shots between the operatives of Amotekun and the rampaging youths.
A source, who preferred anonymity, said crisis erupted when the patrol team of Operation Amotekun attempted to prevent youths from Obada area of Ibarapa North Local Government Area from holding their annual carnival.
The members of the State Security outfit were alleged to have fired gunshots indiscriminately to disperse the youths from the venue of the event while the rampaging youths reportedly met force with force.
Our source stated no fewer that five boys were hit by the bullets out of which two died at the General Hospital, Ayete while others are receiving medical attention at different hospitals in Igboora.
The deceased persons, according to our findings, are one; Razak Odugbemi (20yrs) of Olukotun compound, Tapa, whose parents claimed was at the veranda of their house when the bullets hit him and one Lekan Ogunlade.
Commandant of Amotekun Security Corps in Oyo State, Colonel Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), while confirming the incident, said personnel of the security outfit responded to gunshots fired at them by the boys.
He said, “I am just coming back to Ibadan from Ibarapa North Local Government. I visited the scene of the incident. The preliminary investigation revealed that some youths were organising carnival in Obada and our men attempted to disperse them. Some of them fired gunshots at our operatives and they responded.
“Two of the youths were shot and have been confirmed dead. That is the situation for now. But, we are still investigating the incident.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Oyo State Police command, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident, but he did not specify the number of persons shot during the incident.
Fadeyi stated, “On the receipt of the incident, the DPO of Ayete moved in to ascertain the immediate and remote cause of the shooting and investigation has commenced and further development will unfold to find answers to the cause of the shooting.”