By Attah Ede
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the killings, shootings and injuries recorded at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.
Adeleke, in an Executive Order issued on Saturday, established a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding the violence and examine the roles played by security operatives during the incident.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed this in a statement issued in Osogbo, saying the panel would establish the identities and number of victims, investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violence and determine whether any criminal responsibility was connected to the deaths.
Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola was appointed chairman of the panel, while Abiodun Badiora will serve as secretary. Other members include retired AIG (Dr) Aderanti C. Kayode, mni; Dele Akintayo; a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; Comrade Wale Balogun representing civil society organisations; an Ikire community representative; and Dr Babatunde Afolabi as the medical and forensic representative.
The panel will investigate the shootings and killings, including whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their deployment complied with applicable laws, rules of engagement and human rights standards.
It is also empowered to identify any individual or group, including security personnel, political actors, transport union members, public officials or others whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the violence. The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary action, compensation for victims and institutional reforms.
“As part of its investigative powers, the panel may summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, and receive both oral and documentary evidence.
“It can also recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons considered to be at risk of intimidation or retaliation.”
Adeleke further directed the preservation of firearms and ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other evidence relevant to the investigation.
The government said the Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and Osun Commissioner of Police had been formally asked to take appropriate interim administrative measures concerning any police officer whose continued operational command could affect the inquiry or public confidence in the process.
The panel is expected to begin sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its report within 30 days of its first sitting, subject to any extension approved by the governor. Victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society groups, political parties, community leaders and other interested persons have also been invited to submit evidence.
The violence at Ikire’s Naira and Kobo Garage on August 24 resulted in deaths, shootings and injuries. Earlier accounts linked the confrontation to a dispute over control of the motor park, with allegations of political involvement. Some eyewitness accounts also raised questions about the conduct of security personnel at the scene. The government stressed that all such allegations remain unproven until established through credible evidence.
Governor Adeleke assured the victims’ families, injured persons and residents of Ikire that the inquiry would be conducted “thoroughly, fairly and transparently.”
The Executive Order states that “no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation.”
