The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order creating a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries, and violence recorded at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.
The panel, led by Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola, will look into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, as well as the identities and numbers of casualties, the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and whether criminal responsibility is linked to the deaths.
The Executive Order, which goes into effect on August 31, also directs the panel to look into the role of security personnel and determine whether live ammunition or other weapons were used during the incident, as well as whether their use was legal, followed rules of engagement, and met human rights standards.
The state administration announced this in a statement issued on Saturday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, “The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, and establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement, and human rights standards.”
The panel will also probe whether the actions or omissions of individuals or groups contributed to the violence.
“It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official, or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident,” the statement said.
The inquiry may recommend sanctions, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims, and institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence.
“The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence,” the government said.
The panel will also have the powers to gather evidence and compel witnesses to participate in the inquiry.
The Osun governor also ordered the preservation of evidence that could help establish what happened during the violence.
“Governor Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos, and other materials relevant to the inquiry,” the statement said.
The executive order also provides for the protection of witnesses and families of those killed while requiring the government to obtain medical and forensic documentation and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.
“The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry,” it said.
As part of the investigation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police have been formally asked to take interim administrative steps against any police officer whose continued operational command could jeopardize the investigation or public trust.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission, and Osun State Commissioner of Police are formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence,” the statement said.
The panel will be chaired by Magistrate Shiyanbola, with Mr. Abiodun Badiora serving as secretary.
Other members are Dr. AIG Aderanti C. Kayode, mni (retd.); Mr. Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; Comrade Wale Balogun, representing Civil Society Organizations; a community representative from Ikire; and Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, medical/forensic representative.
The panel will meet within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days, subject to any necessary extension approved by the governor.
The government has also invited those with information about the incident to submit evidence.
“The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation,” the statement said.
“The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organizations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists, and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel,” the statement said.
Adeleke promised residents of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured, and the wider public that the inquiry would be conducted thoroughly, fairly, and transparently.
“The governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured, and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly, and transparently,” the statement said.
The governor also ordered that anyone found culpable would not be protected because of their position, influence, or political connections.
“The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection, or institutional affiliation,” the statement said.
It, however, emphasized that allegations against any individual must be established by credible evidence before the inquiry.
The Osun state government said the order “stress[es] that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the coroner inquest/panel.”
