Breaking News! One Dæd, 7 Police Officers Injured, As Massive Protest Against Monarch Appointment by Governor Continues

 

One Dæd, 7 Police Officers Injured As Massive Protest Against Monarch Appointment by Governor Continues 

A violent clash in Esa-Oke, located in the Obokun local government area of Osun State, has led to the tragic death of one individual, Clement Ajayi, with several others left injured due to gunshot wounds. The violence stems from a chieftaincy dispute following the appointment of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The conflict began after Governor Adeleke's appointment of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the new monarch for Ido Ajegunle, a neighboring community to Esa-Oke. However, the residents of Esa-Oke strongly opposed the appointment, arguing that Ajayi, originally from Ilesa, did not belong to their community. They considered the new appointment an affront to the traditional structures in Esa-Oke, which has its own distinct leadership.

Tensions reached a breaking point when vigilante groups reportedly brought in by the new monarch were apprehended by the police. This action further fueled the hostility, culminating in violent altercations within the community.

According to a top security source, the violence intensified when armed individuals, believed to be dressed as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), began firing at a police station in the area. The attackers reportedly fired indiscriminately, hitting some bystanders and security personnel with stray bullets. Among the casualties was Clement Ajayi, whose death has shocked the community. Several others sustained injuries, and the situation remains volatile.

The clash also led to the reported kidnapping of the village head during the night. In the morning, armed groups, including those disguised as DSS agents, reportedly arrived in a convoy of vehicles, including a Hilux and a Hummer, and began shooting. The community responded by barricading the police station, leading to further confusion and violence.

The Osun State Police Command, led by spokesperson Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the deployment of additional officers to the affected community to restore order. Authorities are actively working to control the unrest, but concerns over the continued violence persist.

The situation in Esa-Oke remains tense, with security forces focused on preventing further escalation. The community is deeply divided over the issue, and tensions between supporters of the new monarch and those opposed to his appointment continue to run high.

As investigations into the violence continue, the Osun State Police have assured that they are doing everything in their power to address the security concerns and bring the situation under control. Local authorities are calling for calm as efforts are made to mediate the conflict and ensure the safety of all residents.

This tragic incident highlights the delicate nature of chieftaincy disputes and their potential to escalate into violence when not properly managed. The people of Esa-Oke and surrounding communities are now left grappling with the fallout from the unrest and its impact on their safety and way of life.

Seven Policemen, Others Injured in Osun Community Chieftaincy Dispute

Seven police officers and several residents were injured in a violent clash in Esa-Oke, Osun State, on Monday, resulting from a dispute over the appointment of a new monarch for Ido Ayegunle. The assailants, suspected to be hired hoodlums, opened fire on the police officers and community members after barricading a road. According to Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, the police were responding to a distress call when they encountered the attackers, who fired at them. One officer was hit in the neck during the incident.

The dispute stems from the appointment of Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi, a United Kingdom-based information telecommunications expert, as the new Olojudo of Ido Ayegunle by the Osun State Government. Esa-Oke residents, who claim Ido Ayegunle falls under the jurisdiction of the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, have protested the appointment, arguing that Ajayi, an indigene of Ilesa, should not be appointed as the monarch.

Tensions have escalated, particularly after a peaceful protest by Esa Oke indigenes against the appointment. The situation worsened when assailants in a bus traveling toward the Esa Oke Police Divisional Office opened fire, injuring several individuals. Footage from the scene showed five people bleeding, suspected to be victims of the attack.

In response to the violence, the Osun State Amotekun Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed operatives to the area to restore order.