At least four people were reportedly killed, and several others injured in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, following a violent clash between security operatives and residents.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Monday, the spokesperson of Esa-Oke Central Union, Oladiti Awodiran, confirmed the casualties, attributing the crisis to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s appointment of Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the new monarch.
According to him, the community rejected Ajayi’s appointment on the grounds that he is not an indigene.
Awodiran alleged that police officers stormed the community on Monday morning and began shooting indiscriminately.
“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 Area of Osun State,” he said.
“My heart bleeds as I inform you that armed men in police uniform invaded Esa-Oke and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of no fewer than four youths, while several others sustained injuries.
“The chaos erupted after Governor Ademola Adeleke announced the appointment of an outsider as Oba or Baale in a community within Esa-Oke.
“The community had previously resisted attempts to install a traditional ruler in the area, as the settlement in question is within Esa-Oke town, close to the Osun State College of Technology campus.
“To us, appointing a Baale or Oba in another town’s territory contradicts tradition and history. Esa-Oke falls within Ijesa North Federal Constituency, while the settlement in question, Ido Ajegunle, is under Esa-Oke’s jurisdiction.”
Awodiran further claimed that youths in Esa-Oke were being arrested arbitrarily and taken to unknown locations. He noted that prominent sons and daughters of the community, including Hon. Oluwole Oke, Otunba Yinusa Bamgboye, Lawyer Gbite Adeniyi, Professor Siji Olamiju, and Prince Banji Ademiku, had intervened in the matter, advocating for legal and peaceful resolution before the violent outbreak.
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.
However, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, CSP Yemisi Opalola, refuted claims of any deaths.
She stated that police operatives were deployed to the community to restore peace when they were ambushed by residents, leading to seven officers sustaining gunshot injuries.
