Four people were killed and several homes destroyed after gunmen attacked Ido Ayegunle, a settlement near Esa Oke in Osun State, on Thursday.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community around 10 a.m., opened fire on residents, and set multiple buildings ablaze. The attackers, numbering about 100, arrived on motorcycles with their faces covered, according to local sources.
While the identity of the attackers has not been officially confirmed, the Obanla of Ido Ayegunle, Chief Ibironke Adebusuyi, alleged in an interview with PUNCH Online that the gunmen came from the neighboring Esa Oke community.
“Our people were going about their daily activities when the hoodlums invaded the village. They killed four of our people — beheaded one and severed another’s wrist,” Adebusuyi said. “After the killings, they threw the bodies into a well and covered them with heavy stones.”
Adebusuyi stated that tensions between the two communities have been high since January, following the appointment of Prince Oluwatimileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo (traditional ruler) of Ido Ayegunle by the Osun State Government. He urged the government to intervene and ensure justice is served.
As of Friday, four victims had been confirmed dead, with their bodies deposited at the Wesley Guild Hospital morgue in Ilesa. Two other residents were still unaccounted for.
However, the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, dismissed the accusations. “I know nothing about the incident. Those making allegations should provide proof,” he said. Oba Adediran was seen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Friday, where he reportedly met with the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to discuss the crisis.
Speaking on the situation, Osun Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the deaths and linked the attack to a long-standing boundary dispute between the two communities.
“It’s a continuation of the previous clashes. Our men responded swiftly, but the attackers fled before they arrived,” Ojelabi said. “The Commissioner of Police visited the scene today. Four people were killed. Some of the deaths may have occurred due to delays in getting them to a hospital.”
Ojelabi also confirmed that several houses, motorcycles, generators, and public infrastructure such as streetlights were destroyed in the violence. While no arrests have been made yet, some items were recovered from the scene that may aid the investigation.
“Our tactical teams are on the ground, including the DPO, Area Commander, and other operatives,” he said. “We are working to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
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