Four people have been confirmed dead following a violent attack by suspected gunmen on Ido Ayegunle, a community near Esa Oke in Osun State, on Thursday.
The attackers reportedly stormed the village on motorcycles around 10 a.m., setting homes ablaze and destroying properties including motorcycles, generators, and streetlights. No arrests have been made as of the time of reporting.
The Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, Ibironke Adebusuyi, alleged that the attackers were from Esa Oke, with whom the community has been in conflict since January. The dispute is linked to the appointment of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle by the Osun State Government.
“Our people were in the community yesterday, going about their normal activities when hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded our community. They started shooting. They covered their faces but we could recognise some of them,” Adebusuyi told journalists
“They came from the Esa Oke axis, arriving on motorcycles around 10 am. They surrounded our community and killed four people in a brutal manner. They cut the head off one of them and the wrist of another.
“After killing them, they threw their bodies inside a well and used big stones and slabs to cover them. All those killed were from Ido Ayegunle. We are still looking for two people, but four have been confirmed dead. Their remains are at Wesley Guild Hospital morgue in Ilesa.”
He called on the state government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, dismissed the claims, saying, “I know nothing about the incident. Those accusing my community should provide proof.”
Oba Adediran was later seen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo, where he reportedly met with the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, concerning the crisis.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Ojelabi, attributed the violence to a boundary-related conflict.
“It is a continuation of the previous clash; the people have not relented. As of yesterday (Thursday), when it happened, the police swung into action. Our men went to the scene, but the perpetrators fled when they saw the police.
“The CP visited the place today; we have just returned. Four people were killed in the clash. Those deaths were probably caused by the delay before they were taken to the hospital.
“Some houses were burnt, and properties including bikes, generators, and streetlights were damaged. Nobody has been arrested yet, but we have recovered some items that could help in our investigation. We are on it, and by God’s grace, those responsible will face the full wrath of the law. Our men are on the ground; the DPO, Area Commander, and tactical team are present,” Ojelabi said.
Ido Ayegunle, Esa Oke, Osun State, Ibironke Adebusuyi, Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi, Wesley Guild Hospital, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, Ibrahim Gotan, Abiodun Ojelabi, Nigeria Police, Osogbo,
