Four people were brutally killed and multiple homes destroyed when armed attackers struck the Ayegunle community in Osun State’s Obokun Local Government Area on Thursday morning, June 19, 2025. The deadly assault stems from an escalating land dispute between neighboring communities in Southwest Nigeria.
The violence erupted around 10:00 AM as approximately 100 masked gunmen invaded Ido-Ayegunle community, firing weapons indiscriminately while setting residential buildings ablaze. The attack represents the latest escalation in ongoing territorial tensions between Ido-Ayegunle and Esa-Oke communities.
What Happened in the Osun State Attack
The Osun State attack began when heavily armed assailants, many wearing masks, descended on the Ayegunle community using motorcycles. Eyewitnesses reported seeing attackers arrive from the Esa-Oke direction, surrounding the community before launching their deadly assault.
Community leader Obanla Ibironke Adebusuyi provided disturbing details of the violence, describing how the attackers mutilated victims before disposing of their remains in a local well.
“Our residents were conducting their normal daily business when these criminals invaded,” Adebusuyi stated. “Despite their face coverings, we recognized some of the attackers from the Esa-Oke axis.”
The community chief revealed the brutal nature of the killings: “They decapitated one victim, severed another’s hand, and removed the heart from a third person. After killing them, they threw the bodies inside a well and sealed it with stones and concrete slabs.”
The Land Dispute Background in Osun State
The root cause of this Osun State violence traces back to a contentious land dispute between Ido-Ayegunle and Esa-Oke communities. Tensions intensified following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent appointment of a traditional ruler for Ido-Ayegunle.
Esa-Oke residents vehemently opposed the gubernatorial decision, arguing that someone from Ilesa cannot be crowned king over their ancestral territory. This traditional ruler dispute became the catalyst for the deadly community conflict.
The boundary tussle between these Osun communities has been ongoing, but the appointment of the new traditional ruler pushed tensions to a breaking point, resulting in Thursday’s tragic violence.
Traditional Ruler Denies Attack Involvement
Oba Adeyemi Adediran, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, categorically denied orchestrating the attack on the neighboring community.
“Those making accusations should provide evidence of where we supposedly planned this violence,” the traditional ruler said. “I have no knowledge of this attack.”
However, community leaders from Ido-Ayegunle maintain that Owamiran planned the assault, rejecting claims that the incident involved both hunters from Esa-Oke and criminals from their community.
Police Investigation and Response
The Osun State Police Command confirmed the attack through spokesperson Zachariah Abiodun, who reported that stability has returned to the affected area. The state’s Police Commissioner conducted an immediate field assessment and deployed additional security forces to maintain order.
“This violence resulted from the ongoing boundary dispute between Esa-Oke and Ido Aiyegunle communities,” Abiodun explained. “We responded immediately upon receiving reports of the community attack.”
The police spokesperson detailed the law enforcement response: “Our Divisional Police Officer briefed me on the situation. We mobilized quickly, but by our arrival, buildings were already burning and multiple casualties had occurred.”
Delays hampered rescue operations at the well, and all four individuals recovered were pronounced dead upon hospital arrival. The perpetrators retreated into the surrounding bush areas when they spotted police officers arriving at the scene.
Current Security Situation in Osun State
No arrests have been made at the time of this report, though police assured that investigators will identify and prosecute those responsible for the deadly attack. Security personnel remain stationed in the community to prevent further violence between the feuding communities.
“We have our personnel in the town and on ground to secure the peace,” Abiodun confirmed, emphasizing the commitment to maintaining stability in the troubled area.
The Osun State government has been called upon to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure justice for the victims of this tragic community violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Osun State attack? The attack resulted from an ongoing land dispute between Ido-Ayegunle and Esa-Oke communities, which escalated after the appointment of a new traditional ruler.
How many people died in the Osun incident? Four people were confirmed dead in the attack, with their bodies recovered from a well where the attackers dumped them.
What is the police doing about the violence? Osun State Police have deployed security personnel to the area, conducted field assessments, and launched an investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.
Where exactly did the attack occur? The violence took place in the Ayegunle community, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.
