Five people have reportedly been killed following a violent clash over the control of the Naira and Kobo motor park in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
The incident occurred on Monday amid an alleged attempt by an unidentified group to forcibly take over the motor park, sparking violence that reportedly left three commercial bus drivers and two passersby dead.
According to PeoplesGazatte, footage obtained after the incident showed the bodies of victims at the scene, including an unidentified man with an apparent gunshot wound to the head, whose lifeless body was found inside a gold-coloured Sienna vehicle. Another video showed a second victim lying dead on the ground.
Details surrounding the clash remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said an investigation had commenced.
“Presently, we’re still looking at the matter. Once we’re done with the investigation, we will refer back to you. Give us time,” Ojelabi said.
The development has drawn condemnation from the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance (CCSOGG), which described the incident as another disturbing outbreak of violence that claimed innocent lives.
In a statement issued on Monday, the coalition’s secretary, Olalekan Johnson, said the incident was particularly troubling coming shortly after the Osun State governorship election and amid previous warnings over potential violence around motor parks and local government areas.
“This latest bloodletting is particularly disturbing coming barely days after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election and after repeated warnings by civil society groups and the state government about the danger of renewed violence around motor parks and local government areas,” Johnson said.
The coalition also raised serious allegations over the purported involvement of individuals within the security architecture in the alleged attempt to seize control of the motor park.
“The coalition is deeply alarmed by allegations that the attempted takeover of the motor park was aided or facilitated by elements within the security architecture, including the Divisional Police Officer in Ikire,” Johnson stated.
“We stress that these are serious allegations which must be subjected to an immediate, transparent and independent investigation. No police officer, regardless of rank or political connection, has the constitutional authority to facilitate the activities of political thugs or provide cover for criminal elements,” he added.
The group warned politicians, alleged sponsors of violence, criminal gangs and compromised security personnel against exploiting political influence to escape accountability.
“The era of using innocent citizens as expendable pawns in political battles must end. Those who sponsor violence today should understand that the law does not recognise political protection as immunity from criminal responsibility,” the coalition said.
It further demanded an independent investigation into the violence, including the conduct of the Ikire Divisional Police Officer and any other security officials alleged to have compromised the operation.
“We equally demand the immediate investigation of the conduct of the Ikire Divisional Police Officer and every other security official alleged to have aided or compromised the operation, with appropriate disciplinary and criminal action where evidence establishes wrongdoing,” the coalition said.
The police have yet to disclose the identities of the deceased or provide further details on arrests made in connection with the clash.
