YPF Urges Tinubu To Intervene as Killings, Cult Violence Escalate In Osun

…Says Adeleke’s Govt Appears Overwhelmed

–Calls On Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers to Act

The Yoruba Progressives Forum (YPF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the worsening security situation in Osun State, expressing concern over recurring killings, suspected cult clashes and attacks that have claimed lives and left residents living in fear.

The group lamented that hardly a week passes without reports of violent attacks and killings in different parts of the state, warning that the situation requires urgent and coordinated action by the Federal Government and security agencies to prevent further loss of lives.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Alhaji AbdulLateef Olalekan, popularly known as Asiri Ede, the forum said the persistent violence, particularly incidents involving suspected rival cult groups, had become a serious threat to public safety, peace and economic activities across the state.

YPF expressed concern over the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, in Ile-Ife, as well as reported killings in Esa-Oke, Ilesa , Ikire where two persons including a traveller were killed and other parts of Osun. The group also cited the latest violence around Owoeba, near Ilesa Garage in Osogbo, where two persons were confirmed dead and four others sustained gunshot injuries during a suspected cult clash on Friday, October 2, 2026. One of the deceased was identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as Small Rugged, while another was identified in reports as Osha. Also on October 4, one person, Rasaki Wahab popularly known as Ojo iku was shot at it. The incident happened at Arowomole area of Osogbo.

The forum also expressed concern over the reported killing of a person identified as Rogba in Esa-Oke, alongside other violent incidents in the state, warning that the recurring bloodshed must not be allowed to become normalised.

The group recalled that before the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun, there were several reports of killings and violent confrontations, some of which Governor Ademola Adeleke had attributed to political activities. YPF said it had expected the security situation to improve significantly after the election, but expressed disappointment that reports of deadly violence had continued.

According to the forum, the situation has become sufficiently alarming to warrant greater federal involvement, adding that residents, particularly those in Osogbo and other affected communities, deserve to live without the constant fear of armed attacks.

“Osun people cannot continue to live in fear while our youths kill one another and innocent residents risk being caught in the crossfire. Hardly would a week pass without reports of killings or violent clashes somewhere in the state. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue,” the statement said.

YPF questioned the effectiveness of the existing security response, arguing that the state government appeared overwhelmed by the persistent incidents despite Governor Adeleke’s constitutional responsibility, as the state’s chief executive, to support efforts to maintain peace and security.

The forum, however, stressed that the responsibility for tackling violent crime must not be left to the state government alone, urging President Tinubu to direct the relevant federal security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen surveillance, investigate reported killings and bring those responsible to justice.

“If the Federal Government does not urgently come to our aid, we fear that the situation could deteriorate further. Our people, especially residents of the state capital and other affected communities, deserve to sleep with both eyes closed. The protection of lives and property must remain the priority of every level of government,” YPF stated.

The group also called on the Osun State Commissioner of Police, other security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads and youth organisations to rise to the challenge by working together to address the causes of the violence, discourage cultism and promote peaceful coexistence.

YPF urged security agencies to ensure that investigations into the reported killings were thorough and that anyone found culpable was prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that no individual or group should be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

The forum further appealed to parents, community leaders and religious institutions to intensify efforts to discourage young people from joining violent groups, warning that continued bloodshed would undermine the future of Osun youths and threaten the peace and development of the state.

The statement added that the forum was not interested in apportioning political blame but in ensuring that urgent and decisive measures were taken to stop the killings, protect innocent residents and restore public confidence in the state’s security system.

YPF therefore urged President Tinubu, Governor Adeleke and all relevant stakeholders to treat the situation as an emergency, insisting that Osun State must not be allowed to descend further into violence and insecurity.