The Esa-Oke Central Union in Osun State has alleged that assailants in police uniforms invaded the town, resulting in the deaths of four residents and leaving many others injured. Disturbing footage from Esa-Oke residents shows five individuals bloodied and reportedly shot by the attackers. The state police command, however, denied shooting civilians, claiming that seven police officers were injured by unknown assailants while en route to the community to manage the escalating crisis.
Mr. Oladiti Awodiran, representing the union, revealed that three vehicles were also set on fire at the palace of Oba Adeyemi Adediran, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, amidst the chaos triggered by the controversial appointment of Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle. Awodiran further criticized the appointment, claiming that a stranger was made a traditional ruler over a community within Esa-Oke, which had long resisted such attempts.
Awodiran recounted the events, stating that men in police uniforms fired on residents, leading to fatalities and injuries, as well as the destruction of vehicles at the palace. The dispute reportedly stemmed from the government’s appointment of a monarch for Ido Ayegunle, which was contested by the local community. The Esa-Oke community, located near the Osun State College of Technology, voiced their dissatisfaction with the appointment of a monarch on their territory.
The union has called for an investigation into the killings and the arrest of those responsible. Police spokesperson Opalola explained that the officers were ambushed by gunmen while responding to a distress call, sustaining injuries but managing to repel the attackers and arrest two individuals at the scene. Further arrests have been made in connection with the violence, with nine suspects now in custody.
Meanwhile, security agencies including the Amotekun Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have deployed personnel to restore order in the area. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, urged residents to embrace peace and support a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
Source: Swifteradio.com
