A violent communal clash between residents of Ido-Ijesa and Esa-Oke in Osun State has left seven policemen with gunshot wounds.
The clash followed the appointment of a new monarch for the Ido-Ajegunle community by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
As of press time, security forces have been deployed to restore order in the affected communities.
At the centre of the controversy is the installation of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ajegunle, a neighbouring community to Esa-Oke. However, residents of Esa-Oke have opposed the decision, arguing that the new king hails from Ilesa and is not indigenous to their town.
Tensions escalated after vigilantes allegedly brought in by the new monarch were arrested by the police four days ago. The arrest led to a violent confrontation between the police and residents of the community, according to a security source.
Osun State Police Command spokesperson Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident, stating that seven officers sustained gunshot wounds during the clash.
“Police operatives have been deployed to restore peace,” she said. “Seven policemen were shot when they first arrived in the community. When we heard that there was a crisis in the community, we deployed our men to the communities, then they were ambushed.”
Opalola explained that the policemen were trying to clear trees that had fallen on their path when they were ambushed. “The bullet hit one of them on the neck,” she added.
