Tension in ikire as Motor Park Clash Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured, Groups Demand Probe

Tension has gripped Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, following a violent clash at the Naira and Kobo Motor Park on Monday, with rival groups giving conflicting accounts of the number of people killed in the incident.

While the Ikire Concerned Youths (ICY) put the death toll at two, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance (CCSOGG) claimed that five people were killed.

Several others were also reportedly injured by gunshots during the incident, which was said to have erupted over an alleged attempt to take control of the busy motor park.

According to sources, sporadic shooting during the clash sent residents, traders and transport workers scampering for safety, while some businesses reportedly shut down temporarily.

The Ikire Concerned Youths, in a statement, alleged that two persons were killed, including a commercial bus driver identified as Saheed Akinrole and a passenger.

The group expressed concern over the incident and called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the conduct of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Irewole Division, Mr Bamidele Olatona.

The youths alleged that the DPO recklessly used his firearm during the incident, a claim that could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

They consequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission to investigate the matter.

“We hereby issue an ultimatum to the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, and the Police Service Commission: immediately order the arrest, psychological evaluation, summary dismissal, and full criminal prosecution of DPO Bamidele Olatona for murder,” the group said.

The youths also accused the police officer of alleged partisan conduct during the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, claiming that he failed to maintain professional neutrality and allegedly provided protection for political thugs.

They further alleged that the police division under his command had failed to adequately tackle criminal activities in the community while allegedly shielding individuals accused of political violence.

Describing Monday’s incident as the “final straw”, the group said residents had become increasingly concerned about the safety of lives and property in the community.

It, however, appealed to residents and youths to remain calm and pursue justice through lawful means.

Similarly, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance condemned the reported violence and called for an independent investigation into the incident.

In a statement signed by its Secretary, Olalekan Johnson, the coalition alleged that five people — three commercial bus drivers and two passersby — were killed during the violence.

The group claimed that the clash followed an alleged attempt by suspected political thugs to forcefully take over the motor park.

According to the coalition, the development created panic in the community, forcing residents to flee while businesses were reportedly shut down.

The CSOs described the incident as disturbing, particularly as it occurred barely days after the August 15 governorship election and amid earlier warnings over possible renewed violence around motor parks and other public spaces.

The coalition also expressed concern over allegations that some elements within the security architecture might have aided or facilitated the alleged attempt to take over the motor park.

It therefore demanded an immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the conduct of the Ikire DPO and any other security personnel alleged to have compromised the operation.

“We stress that these are serious allegations which must be subjected to an immediate, transparent and independent investigation,” the statement said.

The coalition maintained that any security officer found to have facilitated criminal activities or provided cover for political thugs should face appropriate disciplinary and criminal sanctions.

It said any established involvement of security personnel in the incident would constitute a serious breach of public trust and undermine the rule of law.

CSOs Seek Tinubu’s Intervention

The coalition also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct relevant security and intelligence agencies to investigate the reported killings in Ikire and ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted.

It urged the authorities to identify and prosecute alleged sponsors, financiers, masterminds and foot soldiers behind recurring political violence in Osun State, irrespective of their political affiliations or social status.

The group further demanded a thorough investigation into the conduct of the Ikire DPO and any other security official alleged to have aided or compromised the operation.

It insisted that the investigation must be sufficiently independent to command public confidence.

“The Police cannot investigate itself through a process designed to protect its own personnel. The circumstances surrounding today’s killings require an investigation capable of commanding public confidence,” the coalition said.

The group also warned politicians, political godfathers, suspected sponsors of thuggery, criminal gangs and compromised security personnel against further destabilising the state.

“We also urge the people of Osun State to remain calm, resist provocation and refuse to allow themselves to be recruited into retaliatory violence,” it said.

The coalition said it would continue to monitor developments in Ikire and across Osun State, document alleged violations and engage relevant national and international institutions where necessary.

Both groups demanded justice for the victims and an end to the use of violence and political thuggery to control public spaces.

However, the casualty figures contained in the two statements could not be independently reconciled as of the time of filing this report. While the Ikire Concerned Youths reported two deaths, the CCSOGG claimed that five people were killed.

The allegations concerning the circumstances of the shooting and the alleged involvement of the DPO could also not be independently verified.

The police authorities had yet to publicly respond to the allegations against the DPO or provide a detailed official account of the incident as of press time.

The exact number of casualties, identities of the victims and circumstances leading to the clash are expected to form part of any official investigation.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was in Ikire as of the time of filing this report to assess the situation and address the incident.