No fewer than seven policemen were shot during a violent communal clash between residents of Ido-Ijesa and Esa-Oke in Osun State, following the appointment of a new monarch for the Ido-Ajegunle community by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Governor Adeleke had approved the installation of Prince Timileyin Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido-Ajegunle, a neighbouring community to Esa-Oke.
However, residents of Esa-Oke strongly opposed the decision, arguing that the new king hails from Ilesa and is not indigenous to their town.
A top security source, speaking anonymously, revealed that tensions escalated after vigilantes allegedly brought in by the new monarch were arrested by the police four days ago.
Confirming the incident, Osun State Police Command spokesperson Yemisi Opalola stated that seven officers sustained gunshot wounds during the violent confrontation.
Security forces have since been deployed to restore order in the affected communities.
She said: “Police operatives have been deployed to restore peace. 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. The policemen were trying to clear the trees that fell on their path when they were ambushed. The bullet hit one of them on the neck”.
