Four killed, properties destroyed as hoodlums invade Osun community

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Four persons have been confirmed dead and several properties destroyed following a deadly attack by armed hoodlums who invaded Ido-Ayegunle in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State.

The attack, which occurred around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, has reignited longstanding tensions between residents of Ido-Ayegunle and the neighbouring Esa-Oke community.

The Obanla of Ido-Ayegunle, Chief Ibironke Adebusuyi, said about 100 armed assailants stormed the community on motorcycles from the Esa-Oke axis, shooting indiscriminately and terrorizing residents.

He alleged that one of the victims was beheaded and the bodies were dumped into a well, concealed with slabs and stones.

Chief Adebusuyi also accused the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, of threatening the community two days before the attack. He dismissed claims that the violence was a hunter-hoodlum clash, insisting it was an orchestrated invasion.

Oba Adeyemi Adediran denied the allegations, stating he had no knowledge of any plan to attack Ido-Ayegunle. He challenged his accusers to provide evidence of such a plot, maintaining his innocence.

Osun Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the deaths and said the attackers fled upon the arrival of police officers. He noted that the police had recovered items that would aid in their investigation.

Ojelabi also confirmed that properties destroyed during the invasion included houses, motorcycles, generators, and streetlights. He added that no arrests had been made yet, but investigations were ongoing.