Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the deadly attacks on Ido-Ayegunle community.
The order is coming after the deadly clashes in Ido-Ayegunle town on Monday morning claimed four lives, with 25 persons reportedly injured.
Governor Adeleke reacting to the attacks, in which seven police personnel were injured and millions of Naira worth of properties in the town destroyed, expressed shock.
He also commended the security agencies for nabbing and detaining many of the attackers and called for further arrests of sponsors of the evil incident.
In a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, Adeleke denied any breach of due process in the appointment of new Olojudo as an elevated part two Oba since 2014.
The State Governor commended the security agencies for promptly putting down the unrest, vowing to ensure that promoters of violence face the full wrath of the law.
The Governor further directed “the Commissioner of Police to spread the net of investigation to remote sponsors of the attacks even as he commiserates with victims of the attacks amongst local residents and security operatives.”
“I call on residents to remain calm. The security agencies are already rounding up the perpetrators of the violence. Culprits will face justice,” the state governor warned.
Meanwhile, an Ido-Ayegunle chief, Ibironke Busuyi, has claimed that the town is a separate township from Esa-Oke which is recognised by the Osun State Government.
In a statement he personally put out, Busuyi revealed that the violence between both towns dated back to 1995.
He said, “The history of violence between Esa Oke and Ido Ayegunle dates back to 1995 when our father, the late King Adekanmi Ajayi Aselebe, was appointed as the 16th Oba of Ido-Ayegunle.
“This led to his elevation as the Part 2 King of the Yoruba band in 2014. However, the King of Esa-Oke at that time waged war against our father, destroying properties and lives, including schools and the palace.
“After our late father’s passing four years ago, the Owa Omiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, appointed Jonfolo Lawrence Adebisi Obanla of Esa Oke as the Baale of Ido Ayegunle, despite Ido-Ayegunle having a Part 2 Oba since 2024. This decision is deceitful and has hindered the growth and development of Ido Ayegunle.”
He also disclosed that the people had sought government intervention and provided documents to support their claims which was later affirmed by the state government leading to the appointment of the new Olojudo, Prince Timileyin Oduyemi Ajayi.
While maintaining that the new Olojudo, Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi, had the full support of Ido-Ayegunle, he alleged that Esa-Oke indigenes continued to encroach on Ido-Ayegunle land.
Responding, a community leader representing Esa-Oke Central Union, Oladiti Awodiran said the Esa-Oke community had in the past vehemently resisted the attempt to install an Oba or Baale in Ido-Ayegunle as the said settlement is right inside Esa-Oke town, a few meters to the campus of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.
He held that the appointment of a Baale or Oba on another town’s territory negates all logic, tradition and history.
He also lamented that Esa-Oke youths were being arrested arbitrarily and were being moved to unknown places as a result of the crisis.
“The Esa-Oke community had in the past vehemently resisted the attempt to install an Oba or Baale in the community as the said settlement is right inside Esa-Oke town a few meters to the campus of OSUN State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.
“To us, the appointment of a Baale or Oba on another town’s territory negates all logic, tradition and history.
“Esa-Oke is in Ijesa North Federal constituency, The settlement (Ido-Ayegunle) on which a monarch was appointed by Owa of Ilesa is Unit eleven a polling station under Esa-Oke.
“As I stand here to address you, youth in Esa-Oke are being arrested arbitrarily and are being moved to unknown places,” he alleged.
He called on the Osun State Commission of Police, Director of Department of State Services, DSS, and the Osun State Government to investigate the killing in Esa-Oke.
Meanwhile, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, has called on residents of the ancient town to remain calm as tension mounts over land disputes.
Oba Adediran made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria, Gold FM, ilesa.
While calling on security operatives to restore law and order to the town, the traditional ruler urged his people to be law abiding and allow peace to reign.
The clash on Monday erupted over the appointment of Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle, in Obokun local government area of Osun State by the state government.
