Adeleke orders probe into Osun killings, seeks inquiry into police role

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered a Coroner Inquest and Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings and violence that occurred at the Naira and Kobo Junction, a motor park area in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state.

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The inquiry, established through an Executive Order, will investigate the circumstances surrounding the August 24 incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence and determine whether anyone bears criminal responsibility for the deaths.

The governor said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, that the panel will be chaired by Ayokunle Shiyanbola, a judicial officer from the magistrates’ court, with Abiodun Badiora serving as secretary.

Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police Aderanti Kayode, Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; Wale Balogun, representing civil society organisations and a community representative from Ikire; and Babatunde Afolabi, a doctor who will serve as the medical and forensic representative.

“The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.

“It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident,” the statement read.

Mr Adeleke said the Executive Order, which takes effect on 31 August, empowers the panel to recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence.

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He also directed the preservation of firearms and ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

“The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation,” the statement added.

The Executive Order further requests the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, Police Service Commission and Osun Commissioner of Police to take appropriate interim administrative measures concerning any police officer whose continued operational command could prejudice the inquiry or undermine public confidence.

Police statement about the incident

The development comes barely 24 hours after the Osun State Police Command confirmed publicly that two passers-by were killed and three police officers injured during the violence at the garage. The police subsequently arrested four suspected “political thugs” in connection with the incident.

According to the Command’s statement, it stated that a group of about 30 armed hoodlums attacked officers responding to a distress call at the motor park and snatched an AK-47 rifle from one of the officers. The police stated that a suspected thug identified as Ayewo subsequently used the rifle to shoot sporadically, hitting three policemen and two passers-by, who later pronounced dead.

The Command disclosed that it had arrested four suspects found to be in connection with the attack incident. The arrested suspects by the police were identified as Sikiru Ademola Adedeji, 21; Olalere Taiwo, 21; Olalere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun, 20.

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“Following credible intelligence gathered and painstaking technical analysis of available information relating to the incident, operatives of the Osun State Police Command, on Wednesday, 26th August 2026, successfully arrested four (4) suspects in-connection with the attack,” said Ibrahim Zungura, the Osun State Commissioner of Police during a press briefing.

The police said the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation to being political thugs and identified Ayewo as the head of their faction. One cutlass-like object was also recovered from them, while the police said Ayewo and others remained at large.

The commissioner assured residents that the investigation would continue until all those involved in the incident are identified and arrested.