Residents of Ido-Ayegunle in Osun State are pleading with the government and security agencies for immediate intervention following a gruesome attack by suspected hoodlums that left no fewer than four individuals dead and several others injured.
PUNCH Metro gathered on Tuesday from interviews with the town’s traditional ruler, the Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle, Oba Timileyin Ajayi, and some community chiefs, revealed that the assailants allegedly dismembered their victims—cutting off heads, wrists, and legs—before discarding the bodies in an abandoned well.
Oba Ajayi described the recent attack, which took place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, as part of a disturbing trend of repeated assaults on the town. He accused Oba Adeyemi Adediran, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, of instigating the violence in an attempt to dominate the people of Ido-Ayegunle, a claim which Oba Adediran has rejected.
“He openly threatened our people. He declared that he would send his community members to destroy Ido-Ayegunle.
“Shockingly, his words did not remain mere threats. On June 19, just weeks after that video surfaced, the town was attacked in a brutal and coordinated assault. Four people were killed.
“This is not just an attack on a town—it is an attack on humanity, on justice, and on the very fabric of peace that traditional institutions are meant to uphold,” Oba Ajayi stated.
He urged both state and federal authorities to intervene without delay, saying, “We are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Osun State Government, and all relevant security agencies to reopen the investigation immediately, hold the monarch accountable for his inflammatory threats and the massacre that followed, and ensure the safety of our people.”
The town’s spokesperson, Chief Ibironke Adebusoye, backed the monarch’s statements, asserting that the attacks were deliberate and coordinated.
He said, “These hoodlums from Esa-Oke have been terrorising us. Just two weeks ago, I submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police, but nothing has been done.
“I received several calls from the DPO and Area Commander before the last attack, warning of potential violence. And the next day, it happened.”
A petition submitted by O.J. Erhabor & Co., a law firm acting for the community, to Governor Ademola Adeleke on June 10, 2025, outlined earlier invasions and alleged that the Owamiran was advancing an “expansionist agenda” through organized violence.
The document also highlighted that during a previous attack, police officers were forced to retreat due to the intense resistance from the heavily armed attackers.
However, in a response granted during a media interview on Tuesday, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adediran, denied any involvement, saying he had no knowledge of such attacks.
He said, “I am not aware of the incident happening at Esa-Oke. I only heard rumours about it, and whoever has evidence should speak up.
“I never told anyone to attack or harm anyone over the land. They misquoted me. In fact, it was they who attacked our people and shot some of them. They even attacked them at the farm. I never asked for retaliation.”
Oba Adediran further explained that he had been unwell and incapable of directing any such violence: “I have been on my sickbed for days with high blood pressure. I’ve been unable to sleep. I didn’t even ask my people to take any revenge after they attacked.”
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, the police confirmed the fatal incident and assured the public that efforts were underway to apprehend those responsible.
“When we received this information, our men quickly moved into action. On getting there, the suspects fled the scene as soon as they saw the police. Four persons were truly confirmed dead as a result of the incident.
“The police are still on the ground as I speak to you. We even had to invite the king and others to ensure there was peace.”
Advertisement
