The Oyo State Security Network Agency known as Operation Amotekun has unveiled the identity of its member, Kazeem Afolabi, who allegedly fired the shot that killed a commercial motorcyclist, Tosin Thomas , in Ibadan on Wednesday night.
The Commandant of Amotekun , Col Olayinka Olayanju ( retd . ) , said in a statement on Thursday made available to our correspondent by the media officer of the agency , Mrs Ayolola Adedoja , that Afolabi acted outside the guideline of the security outfit and had been dismissed and handed over to the police for prosecution .
The commandant said the agency regretted the loss of Thomas ’ s life, saying the leadership was already in touch with the family.
Explaining how the incident happened , the commandant said the team leader received a call that there was an armed robbery at Mokola and seven members of the agency proceeded to the place .
He stated that on getting there , the leader of the Amotekun observed that although the crowd had gathered , there was no threat to anybody ’ s life there and he went to the manager of the filling station there .
“ On arrival at the scene of the alleged crime , it turned out that it was not an armed robbery operation , though a crowd had gathered .
“ The team leader , sensing no immediate danger to anyone at the scene immediately proceeded to speak with the station manager . While he was with the manager , he heard a gunshot.
“ As it turned out , one of his team members , by the name Afolabi Kazeem , who felt sufficiently threatened by the crowd, which included some hoodlums armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons , opened fire to supposedly scare away the crowd . Unfortunately , his shot hit one Mr Tosin Thomas , 23, who was subsequently confirmed dead .
“ The corps has found that Afolabi Kazeem with ammunition number AM 031849 acted outside the Amotekun Corps’ Protocols .
“ For this reason , he has been summarily dismissed from the corps and handed over to the police for prosecution . Also , his team leader , George Idowu , is being thoroughly investigated and will face all necessary sanctions . ”
