Akinlalu Mother Seeks Sons’ Remains One Year After Deadly Osun Security Operation

A mother in Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, has renewed her appeal for authorities to release the remains of her sons for burial, one year after a deadly security operation left several residents dead and others injured.
Alaba Oyebamiji said the continued uncertainty surrounding the remains has deepened the family’s grief and prevented them from performing final burial rites.
She appealed to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to intervene.
The appeal comes one year after the September 30, 2025 violence in Akinlalu involving operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
Family still waiting for closure
Oyebamiji said losing her sons had been devastating, but being unable to complete their burial had made the experience even more difficult.
She said the family had made repeated efforts to obtain the remains through government and security authorities but had not received a final resolution.
The mother also said one of her sons left behind a wife and child who are now under her care.
For the family, the immediate demand is no longer primarily about compensation.
It is about being able to bury their relatives and bring an end to a year of uncertainty.
Earlier reports show uncertainty over whereabouts
Reporting on the case has itself revealed uncertainty over where some of the victims’ remains were taken.
An earlier Punch investigation said the whereabouts of Ismaila Oyebamiji and Ibrahim Oyebamiji remained unclear months after the incident.
That report said the remains of two other men linked to the deaths were known to have been deposited in hospitals in Ile-Ife and Osogbo.
It also reported that Sefiu Oyebamiji had received medical treatment following the violence before later dying.
Because later reports describe the situation differently, Aviora is avoiding a definitive claim about exactly which remains are currently missing or being withheld.
What is clear is that the affected families and community leaders continue to seek access to the remains for burial.
Residents and Amotekun gave different accounts
The circumstances surrounding the original shootings remain disputed.
Residents alleged that Amotekun operatives entered Akinlalu and opened fire on people in the community.
Amotekun presented a different account.
The security outfit said its personnel had responded to a distress call and later became involved in an armed confrontation with people it described as suspected hoodlums.
The corps said weapons had earlier been seized from some of its operatives and maintained that the deaths occurred during an exchange of gunfire.
Those competing accounts led to demands for an independent investigation.
Police became involved
The incident eventually attracted the attention of the Nigeria Police Force.
Police reports at the time confirmed deaths and injuries and also indicated that bodies had been removed from the scene.
Several Amotekun personnel were later arrested during the investigation.
The then Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed the Intelligence Response Team to take over the case.
Months later, police told Punch that the investigation was still ongoing.
There has been no publicly reported final police finding explaining responsibility for every death or resolving all questions surrounding the remains.
Governor promised investigation and accountability
Governor Adeleke visited Akinlalu after the incident and promised that those found responsible would face the law.
The Osun State Government also announced that affected families would receive compensation and said it would support the community.
During the governor’s October 2025 condolence visit, the Akinlalu community presented demands including an investigation, accountability for those responsible, compensation and the establishment of a police station in the area.
Adeleke said the state would compensate the families and support the construction of a police station.
Compensation did not end family's concerns
The state government later provided financial support to some affected families.
Oyebamiji confirmed in earlier reporting that her family received ₦10 million.
But she said much of the money went toward medical treatment before one of her sons died.
The financial assistance therefore did not resolve the family’s main concern.
The family continues to say that access to the remains and a proper burial are essential for closure.
Community leaders also demand answers
The traditional ruler of Akinlalu, Oba Israel Aborisade, said community representatives had approached both government and police officials repeatedly.
According to him, officials had asked the community to remain patient but had not provided a definite date for releasing the remains.
The community’s youth leadership has expressed similar frustration.
Youth leader Musibau Adeboye said the immediate priority is now the release of the remains rather than additional compensation.
A dispute over who currently controls the remains
Another unresolved issue is which authority currently has legal or physical control over the bodies.
Community leaders say police officials have indicated that they are not responsible for holding the remains.
The families have also said they do not intend to continue pursuing lengthy court proceedings and instead want authorities to find a practical way of returning the bodies.
Without an official public explanation identifying where all the remains are located and who has authority to release them, the uncertainty continues.
A year without burial
For many communities, burial is not simply an administrative process.
It carries religious, cultural and family significance.
Families may regard final rites as an important part of grieving and accepting the death of a loved one.
When remains are unavailable for months or years, that process can be interrupted.
That is why the issue has remained emotionally significant in Akinlalu even after compensation and official promises of investigation.
Conflicting casualty records add to uncertainty
Public accounts of the September 2025 incident have not always been consistent.
Early official and media reports gave different casualty figures as some injured residents remained under treatment and later developments emerged.
This makes it particularly important for news organisations not to overstate uncertain details.
What is firmly established is that the Akinlalu violence resulted in multiple deaths, injuries, a police investigation and arrests of Amotekun personnel.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation and the handling of some victims’ remains remain contested.
Amotekun's wider role remains important
Amotekun was created across South-West states to complement conventional security agencies, particularly in communities where police resources may be limited.
Its supporters argue that local knowledge allows the corps to respond more effectively to rural crime, kidnapping and other security threats.
But incidents involving allegations of excessive force have also led to calls for stronger accountability and oversight.
The Akinlalu case demonstrates the challenge.
Community security organisations can play an important role, but their personnel must still operate within the law and be subject to investigation when serious allegations are made.
Police investigation needs a clear conclusion
A year after the shootings, the families are still waiting for more than the return of bodies.
Questions also remain about what investigators concluded.
Arrests alone do not determine criminal responsibility.
A full investigation should establish the sequence of events, identify the people responsible for unlawful actions if any occurred and explain what happened to the victims after the shooting.
Any accused person must also have the opportunity to answer allegations through the appropriate legal process.
Mother asks authorities to act
Oyebamiji says her immediate concern is being able to bury her children.
Her appeal now places renewed pressure on both state and federal authorities to establish exactly where the remaining bodies are located and what administrative or legal process is preventing their release.
The Osun State Government has previously promised accountability.
Police have said the investigation remains active.
The community says it has remained patient.
One year later, however, the affected families are still asking for a basic outcome: the chance to lay their relatives to rest.
Until that happens, the September 2025 Akinlalu killings will remain an unresolved source of grief for the community.