Panic gripped Esa-Oke in Osun State on Monday as violence erupted following the controversial appointment of a new monarch in Ido Ayegunle, a community within the town.
The Esa-Oke Central Union has accused assailants dressed in police uniforms of storming the town, allegedly killing four residents and injuring several others.
Shocking footage obtained from residents showed at least five victims drenched in blood, intensifying outrage. However, the Osun State Police Command has denied responsibility for the shootings.
Instead, they reported that seven police officers were ambushed and injured while heading to the community to quell the unrest.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the union’s representative, Mr. Oladiti Awodiran, revealed that the violence erupted after the Osun State Government announced Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle.
He condemned the appointment, describing it as an imposition of a stranger in the town’s territory.
“My heart bleeds as I inform you that men in police uniforms invaded Esa-Oke and started shooting sporadically, leading to the death of no fewer than four youths. Several others were wounded, and three vehicles were set ablaze in the palace of Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran,” Awodiran stated.
He further alleged that Esa-Oke youths were being arbitrarily arrested and taken to unknown locations.
Meanwhile, Osun State Police PRO, Opalola, refuted claims that officers shot residents. She explained that policemen were ambushed near Esa-Oke while responding to a distress call and were attacked by gunmen hiding in the bushes.
“As the policemen tried to clear roadblocks on their way to Esa-Oke, they were suddenly fired upon. Seven officers were injured, but they repelled the attack and arrested two suspects on the spot. We later arrested seven more, including the alleged mastermind, Olayinka Olatunji Lawrence, also known as ‘Obanla of Esa-Oke,’ and his son, Daniel Olayinka.”
Security agencies, including Amotekun and the NSCDC, have since deployed reinforcements to the troubled area to prevent further violence.
In a plea for peace, Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, urged residents to allow amicable resolution of the chieftaincy dispute.