Violence erupted in Osun State on Thursday morning as armed attackers killed four people and destroyed multiple homes in what authorities describe as an escalation of a long-standing territorial dispute.
The attack occurred around 10:00 AM on June 19, 2025, in the Ayegunle community within Obokun Local Government Area. The violence stems from an ongoing land dispute between Ido-Ayegunle and the neighboring Esa-Oke community.
Background of the Conflict
The conflict intensified following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent appointment of a traditional ruler for Ido-Ayegunle. Esa-Oke residents opposed this decision, contending that someone from Ilesa cannot legitimately rule over what they consider their ancestral land.
Details of the Attack
Approximately 100 attackers, many wearing masks to conceal their identities, descended on the community using motorcycles. The assailants fired indiscriminately while setting residential buildings on fire.
Community leader Obanla Ibironke Adebusuyi provided a harrowing account of the violence: “Our people were conducting their normal activities when these criminals attacked. Despite covering their faces, we recognized some of them.”
Adebusuyi detailed the brutality of the assault, explaining that the attackers not only killed four residents but also mutilated their bodies before disposing of them in a local well, which they then sealed with stones and concrete slabs.
Conflicting Accounts
The community chief directly accused Owamiran of Esa-Oke of orchestrating the attack, dismissing suggestions that the violence involved hunters from Esa-Oke clashing with local troublemakers.
However, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, categorically denied any involvement in planning the assault. “If they can support their claims with evidence, they should demonstrate where we allegedly met to organize this attack. I have no knowledge of these events,” he stated.
Police Response
Osun State Police Command spokesperson Zachariah Abiodun confirmed the incident and reported that order has been restored to the affected area. The state’s Commissioner of Police conducted a personal site visit to evaluate the situation and coordinate peacekeeping efforts.
While no arrests have been made at the time of this report, Abiodun assured that investigators are working to identify and apprehend those responsible. Additional security personnel have been stationed in the area to prevent further violence.
“This violence resulted from the ongoing boundary disagreement between Esa-Oke and Ido Aiyegunle communities,” Abiodun explained. “We responded immediately upon receiving reports. When our officers arrived, buildings were already burning and lives had been lost. The perpetrators fled when they saw police approaching.”
He added that rescue teams heard voices from one of the wells but were unable to save the victims, who were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The incident highlights the urgent need for resolution of land disputes that continue to fuel deadly conflicts across Nigerian communities.
