Tension gripped Esa-Oke, Osun State on Monday as the Esa-Oke Central Union accused armed assailants in police uniforms of invading the town, killing four residents and injuring several others.
The violent unrest, reportedly sparked by the appointment of Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle, also saw three vehicles razed within the palace of Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran.
Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo, union representative Oladiti Awodiran condemned the attack, accusing security operatives of arbitrarily arresting Esa-Oke youths and moving them to unknown locations.
“My heart bleeds as I stand before you today to inform you that men in police uniform invaded Esa-Oke and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of no fewer than four youths, while several others were wounded. Three vehicles were also razed in the palace premises,” Awodiran said.
According to him, the unrest erupted after the Osun State Government’s announcement of a new monarch for Ido Ayegunle, a settlement within Esa-Oke town. He argued that the community had long resisted any attempt to install a Baale or Oba in the area, calling the appointment a violation of local tradition and history.
However, the Osun State Police Command refuted claims of involvement in the killings, instead stating that seven police officers were shot and injured by unknown gunmen while on their way to quell the crisis.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, explained that law enforcement had been mobilized to restore order following a distress call.
However, as the officers neared Esa-Oke, they encountered roadblocks made of logs, and upon attempting to clear them, gunmen ambushed them from the surrounding bushes.
“They met logs of wood blocking the road and, as some officers stepped down to clear the way, there were gunshots from the bush, injuring seven policemen. The police quickly repelled the attack, arrested two suspects, and continued investigations,” Opalola stated.
She confirmed that the total number of suspects arrested so far stands at nine, including Olayinka Olatunji Lawrence, identified as the mastermind of the crisis, and his son Daniel Olayinka.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government and security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have deployed personnel to maintain peace.
State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, urged residents to embrace peace and allow for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
As of now, normalcy is gradually returning to Esa-Oke, but tensions remain high as authorities continue investigations into the violence.
