A year after her two sons were killed in Akinlalu, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State, their mother, Alaba Oyebamiji, is still appealing to the authorities to release their remains for burial.
Oyebamiji called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene in the matter, saying the continued delay had prolonged the family’s grief.
Ismaila and Sefiu Oyebamiji were among four people reportedly killed during an alleged security operation in the community on September 30, 2025. The other victims were identified as Abiola Olutayo and another Sefiu Oyebamiji.
The incident reportedly followed the entry of operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly called Amotekun, into the community, although residents have continued to raise questions over the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Oyebamiji, speaking about the development, said she had been unable to find closure since the remains of her children were not returned to the family for burial.
She said the death of Ismaila had also left his pregnant wife and child under her care, adding that the situation had made the past year particularly difficult for the family.
The mother appealed to the relevant authorities to resolve the matter and enable the families to perform the final burial rites, noting that previous efforts to secure the release of the remains had not succeeded.
The traditional ruler of Akinlalu, Oba Israel Aborisade, said community leaders had repeatedly raised the issue with the government and security authorities but had not been given a definite date for the release of the bodies.
The monarch said the affected families had told the authorities that they were not seeking to pursue the matter through the courts, urging the government to take their wishes into consideration.
Also, the community youth leader, Musibau Adeboye, said the priority of residents was now the recovery and burial of the remains rather than compensation.
Adeboye appealed to the state and Federal Government to intervene, saying the families and community leaders wanted the matter resolved so the deceased could finally be laid to rest.
