Nigerian Mechanic Cries Out Over Alleged Invasion Of Workshop By Amotekun Corps In Osun

Babatunde Oyetunji, an auto mechanic based in Osogbo, has described how armed individuals raided his workshop on Ring Road, opposite the NNPC mega station in Osogbo, and stole vehicles and spare parts valued at millions of Naira.

According to Oyetunji on Friday while speaking with journalists, three vehicles, new automobile engines and gears which belong to his customers were carted away.

He said the reasons behind the action of the suspected raiders whom he alleged wore Amotekun uniforms with different dangerous weapons were unknown.

He also disclosed that the incident occurred shortly after he departed his workshop to Ibadan for work at around 10:00 am on Monday, July 29, 2024.

Oyetunji sought for public assistance just as he urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Osun State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Umar Abba to investigate the matter.

He narrated that the owners of the properties forcibly carted away from his workshop have been on his neck to recover their belongings.

“On the 29th of July, 2024, around 10 am, while I was on my way to Ibadan for work, I received a call from my workshop by one of my apprentices who informed me that some armed men numbering about 20 were in my workshop and one of them wanted to talk to me.

“They carted away car engines and vehicle gears of a Toyota Sienna, engine and gear of a Toyota Camry, on droplight gear, one Hilux engine, four rims, and engine and gear of a 2010 Highlander Jeep and they also carted away three vehicles.

They operated between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.

“When I returned from Ibadan, I went straight to the workshop and gathered from people who were around while the operation lasted that some of those who came to ransack my workshop wore Amotekun uniform while some of them wore a reflective jacket bearing Osun government logo. They said they couldn’t approach them because they were fully armed with guns and other weapons.

“I have been a mechanic for more than 30 years, and I have never been involved in any work that could have led me to the police station. I don’t have any case or have any issues with anyone.

“I have officially reported the matter at the police station, and I am calling on the people in Osun and all over the country to come to my aid because the engines and gears carted away alone are worth more than N13 million let alone three vehicles which were brought for repairs.”

Reacting through a statement issued by Yusuf Idowu, the Osun Amotekun spokesperson, the security outfit said the allegations were libellous and full of misinformation.

Idowu said the Osun Amotekun Corps was not involved in this act, and the news was entirely false.

“We urge the public to disregard the news published by some bloggers, as Osun Amotekun did not invade any workshop in Osogbo as alleged.

“This publication appears to be part of a campaign to damage Osun Amotekun’s reputation and bring it into public contempt. We urge the promoters of this publication to cease publishing false news aimed at tarnishing the reputation and achievements of Osun Amotekun Corps.

“The Corps will not take it lightly with anyone accusing the outfit falsely without getting facts from the Corps before publication, to serve as a deterrent to others whose motive is to damage the reputation of the Corps.”