One year after two brothers were killed during an alleged security operation in Akinlalu community, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, their mother, Mrs Alaba Oyebamiji, is still waiting for the remains of her sons to be released for burial.

Oyebamiji, whose sons, Ismaila and Sefiu, were among four persons killed in the incident on September 30, 2025, appealed to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene and ensure the release of the bodies.

The other victims were identified as Abiola Olutayo and another Sefiu Oyebamiji.

The victims were allegedly killed when operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, invaded the community following an incident whose circumstances remain a source of concern among residents.

But a year after the deaths, the remains of the victims are reportedly still being held, leaving their families unable to conduct burial rites and bring closure to the tragedy.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, Mrs Oyebamiji said the continued withholding of her sons’ bodies had compounded her grief and left her struggling to return to normal life.

“My heart is still heavy over the killing of my two sons. I am sad and heartbroken, but I have been consoled by the word of God. I would have had peace of mind and been able to associate freely with people if their remains had been released to me for proper burial.

“I am pleading with the appropriate authorities to act on this as soon as possible. For the past one year, I have been living a miserable life. I have made several moves towards securing the release of their bodies, but all to no avail.

“One of my sons, Ismail, was killed while his wife was pregnant. His wife and the baby are now in my custody. For some time now, I have not been able to go out because people make jest of me.”

The grieving mother said the prolonged delay had left the family in uncertainty, despite repeated efforts to resolve the matter.

Similarly, the traditional ruler of Akinlalu, Oba Israel Aborisade, said the community had made several attempts to secure the release of the remains but had yet to receive a definite timeline from the authorities.

The monarch said, “We have made several moves on this matter. We have met with the governor and the police over the release of the bodies, but they kept telling us to exercise patience without giving us a particular time.

“The parents of the victims have been on my neck. I have also spoken with some people privately on the matter.

“The police are saying they are not in charge of the matter. The families have told the government that they are not pursuing the case in court. Therefore, the government should look into this direction by making sure the decision of the families is respected.”

Also, the youth leader of the community, Musibau Adeboye, said the community’s immediate concern was no longer compensation for the victims’ families, but the release of their remains.

Adeboye stated, “Government has done its best for the victims by compensating the families. But our demand now is for the release of the victims’ remains,” Adeboye told Saturday PUNCH on Thursday.

“The federal and state governments are playing politics with the matter. The parents of the victims are seeing us as if we are not serious with the case. We want the government to intervene by releasing the bodies so that we can lay them to rest.

“The continued detention of the bodies has therefore become a fresh source of grievance in Akinlalu, with the families and community leaders are calling for clarity from the authorities over why the remains have not been released one year after the deaths.”

As the first anniversary of the incident passes, the affected families are seeking not only answers over the deaths of their loved ones, but also the opportunity to perform their final rites and bury them according to their wishes. (Saturday PUNCH)

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