The Esa-Oke community in Osun State has distanced itself from the violent attack that occurred in Ido-Ayegunle on June 19, 2025, which reportedly led to the death of four residents.
The community insisted that it has no hand in the crisis and calling on Governor Ademola Adeleke to launch an impartial and non-partisan investigation into the long-standing boundary and chieftaincy disputes with its neighbouring settlement.
At a press briefing in Abuja, Chairman of the Esa-Oke Central Union community, Yinusa Bamigboye, described the community as a victim of encroachment and years of administrative silence. He said the situation has worsened due to official inaction and political interference.
“There are false allegations that the crisis which broke out on Friday, June 19, was orchestrated by the Owamiran of Esa-Oke and members of his cabinet. I want to categorically state that the Owamiran of Esa-Oke has no involvement in the crisis. Neither the people of Esa-Oke nor any members of the Owamiran’s cabinet know anything about it,” Bamigboye said.
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He added: “People should know that already three of our people were shot, and the case was reported at the local police station, but nothing came of it. My elder brother, who returned from the United Kingdom to farm, was abducted. Were it not for the intervention of local youths and the DPO, who knows what would have happened?”
The crisis escalated after the Osun State Government appointed Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle in January, a decision the Esa-Oke people have consistently challenged on grounds that he is not an indigene of the area.
The Olojudo, Oba Timileyin Ajayi, had alleged that youths from Esa-Oke launched a brutal attack on the community in June, accusing the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, of inciting the violence to intimidate Ido-Ayegunle residents.
But Bamigboye insisted that Ajayi’s claim of kingship has no legal or traditional merit.
“The said Olojudo of Ido-Ayegunle, Timileyin Ajayi, is a native of Ilesa, being paraded as the king of Ido-Ayegunle. But in truth, he is not a king, just a chief. He refers to himself as Oba of Ido Ajegunle, but that title has no legal or traditional basis,” he said.
He also pointed to an earlier attack in February when gunmen invaded Esa-Oke, killing four residents and injuring several others, an incident he said was largely ignored by authorities.
Bamigboye urged the state government to activate the peace panel earlier promised and ensure a thorough, unbiased investigation into the land ownership and traditional rulership issues fueling the crisis.
“We want peace. Lives have already been lost, but the primary goal is to prevent further violence in all the affected areas and in Osun State.
“The truth is, politics has polluted this matter. What should have been resolved locally between the two communities has been made worse by third-party actors. But by God’s grace, we believe the situation will be brought under control,” he added.
