The boundary dispute between communities in Iwo and Ayedire Local Councils in Osun State and Lagelu Local Council in Oyo State took a tragic turn on Wednesday, as suspected hoodlums ambushed and killed an operative of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Mr Lamidi Abiodun, at the Papa boundary area in Iwo, Osun State.

Another operative of the security organisation remains missing following the attack, which occurred after local farmers in the Papa Farm area alerted the security team about an assault on their farmland.

The Public Relations Officer of the Amotekun Corps, Yusuf Idowu Abass, disclosed in a statement that a team of Amotekun operatives, alongside members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), responded to the distress call. Upon arrival, the team was ambushed by armed men reportedly led by a notorious criminal, Akeem Olofa, who has been terrorising the region.

During the attack, Mr Abiodun was fatally assaulted. Although initial gunfire failed to penetrate his body, he succumbed to severe machete wounds inflicted on his head.

The statement added that one VGN member, Nurudeen Alowonle, remains unaccounted for, while another operative, Alex Sola, sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. “The tragic loss of Mr Abiodun has deeply affected the Amotekun Corps and the security community in Osun State,” the statement read.

The incident has been reported to the police in Iwo, and Mr Abiodun’s remains have been deposited in a local mortuary. Investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend the fleeing assailants and bring them to justice.

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