Oyo-Osun boundary crisis: Police recover missing farmer’s body after suspect’s arrest
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Police Command has recovered the remains of a farmer who went missing during the protracted boundary dispute between communities in Oyo and Osun states following the arrest of a suspect linked to the alleged killing.
The prime suspect, identified as Yusuf, a farmer and hunter from Iwo in Osun State, is being investigated over the alleged murder of Adegoke Oluwasegun, popularly known as Segun, and the attempted murder of another farmer, Joseph Ajayi.
According to the police, Yusuf was arrested after he allegedly shot Ajayi during a fresh attack on Offa Community in Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State on June 25, 2026. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to his involvement in Segun’s killing and led investigators to a shallow grave where the victim’s remains had been buried.
Following the confession, detectives obtained a court order to exhume the body from the burial site at Eleru Village. The remains were deposited in a morgue and later identified by members of the deceased’s family, while firearms, live cartridges and other exhibits were recovered in the course of the investigation.
The police said the incident is connected to the long-running land dispute between Iwo in Osun State and the Iyana Offa and Offa-Igbo communities in Oyo State. The conflict over thousands of hectares of farmland has led to repeated clashes, deaths, destruction of property and the displacement of several residents despite previous government interventions.
The command also announced the arrest of another suspect, Tunde Ase Adeyinka, who allegedly supplied live cartridges to Yusuf. Although Adeyinka reportedly admitted selling the ammunition, he denied participating in the killing. Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects believed to have fled.
During interrogation, Yusuf allegedly admitted shooting Segun but claimed he acted in self-defence and in retaliation for previous attacks allegedly carried out by members of the rival community. He also claimed he shot at Joseph Ajayi only after Ajayi allegedly opened fire on him during another confrontation linked to the boundary dispute.
Reacting to the development, Segun’s father, Kamoru Adegoke, appealed to the government to ensure justice was served, describing the deceased as his only child. The Oyo State Police Command assured residents that investigations were ongoing and pledged to prosecute all those found culpable while intensifying efforts to restore lasting peace in the troubled border communities.
