Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke
The death toll arising from the chieftaincy crisis rocking the Ido-Ajegunle community of Esa-Oke, in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, has risen to four as the crisis escalates.
Against this backdrop, the Osun State Police Command has debunked fatalities claims.
The Command’s spokeswoman, CSP Yemisi Opalola, however confirmed that seven policemen deployed to restore peace in the area were injured by unidentified individuals.
.She said: “Police operatives have been deployed to restore peace. Seven officers were shot when they first arrived in the community.
“When we received reports of the crisis, we dispatched our men to the area, but they were ambushed while attempting to clear trees that had been felled to obstruct their path. One officer was hit in the neck by a bullet.”
Opalola disclosed that a high-powered investigative team from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has been sent to the area to uncover the root cause of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Esa-Oke Central Union, Mr. Oladiti Awodiran confirmed the death of four people and reported that several others were seriously injured by stray bullets fired by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
Addressing reporters at the office of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Osun State, he said: “It is with utmost regret and profound sadness that I address you today regarding the tragic events in Esa-Oke, a previously peaceful community in Obokun Local Government, Osun State.
“My heart bleeds and my head aches as I inform you that men in police uniform invaded Esa-Oke and began shooting sporadically, leading to the deaths of at least four youths, while many others were wounded in the mayhem.”
According to him, the crisis erupted following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s announcement of a new traditional ruler for a settlement within Esa-Oke, a decision the community has long resisted.
He said: “Esa-Oke has strongly opposed any attempt to install an Oba or Baale within its territory, as the said settlement — Ido-Ajegunle — is located inside Esa-Oke, just a few meters from Osun State College of Technology.
“The appointment of a monarch in another town’s territory defies logic, tradition, and history. Ido-Ajegunle is part of Unit Eleven, a polling station under Esa-Oke in Ijesa North Federal Constituency.”
Awodiran further alleged that Esa-Oke youths were being arrested arbitrarily and taken to unknown locations.
“Our sons, including Hon. Oluwole Oke, Esa-Oke Central Union Chairman Otunba Yinusa Bamgboye, Lawyer Gbite Adeniyi, Professor Siji Olamiju, Prince Banji Ademiku, and the Asalu Family, have intervened in this matter. The Esa-Oke community had already resolved to pursue legal and peaceful measures before today’s tragic incident,” he added.
The community leader called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities to investigate the killings and bring those responsible to justice.
