A chief in Ido Ayegunle, a disputed community with Esa-Oke in Obokun Local Government of Osun State, Ibironke Busuyi, has explained that the community is a separate town from Esa-Oke.
Contrary to the report that the town is a community under Esa-Oke, Busuyi explained that Ido Ayegunle is a town with its own suburbs and recognised in the State as such.
In a statement on Monday – yesterday, February 3 – on behalf of the new Olojudo, Busuyi explained that the history of violence between Esa-Oke and Ido Ayegunle dates back to 1995 when the late King Adekanmi Ajayi Aselebe, was appointed as the 16th Oba of Ido Ayegunle.
“This led to his elevation as the Part 2 King of the Yoruba band in 2014. However, the King of Esa-Oke at that time waged war against our father, destroying lives and property, including schools and the palace,” Basuyi recalled.
“It is essential to set the record straight that Ido Ayegunle is a separate township from Esa Oke, with its own suburbs and recognized by the government of Osun State and Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“After our late father’s passing four years ago, the Owa Omiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, appointed Jonfolo Lawrence Adebisi Obanla of Esa Oke as the Baale of Ido Ayegunle, despite Ido Ayegunle having a Part 2 Oba since 2024. This decision is deceitful and has hindered the growth and development of Ido Ayegunle.
“We sought government intervention and provided documentation to support our claims. The state government in pursuance of justice affirmed our claim, leading to the appointment of the new Olojudo. We are eternally grateful.
“Unfortunately, the people of Esa Oke have continued to encroach on our land, leading to violent clashes. Recently, on January 31, 2025, a group of people from Ido Ayegunle were ambushed and beaten while trying to clean up their community hall.
“We appreciate the efforts of the government in addressing this issue, and we are confident that the truth will prevail. Ido Ayegunle is a separate entity from Esa-Oke, and we will continue to fight for our rights and freedom.
“The new Olojudo has the full support of the people of Ido Ayegunle. This was demonstrated today when the people rose in defence of their town, tradition and their traditional ruler.
“We have allowed the government to do its job. We thank God that justice has prevailed. We are not from Esa Oke, so I don’t know what is going on in Esa-Oke. We implore people to read, and understand that the little town of Ido Ayegunle is not part of Esa Oke.
“We are not in any way related to the Esa Oke crisis. Esa Oke are the ones in Ido Ayegunle, as I speak, but we believe the government will save our town from aggressors.”
Four persons were reportedly killed when a fracas broke out at Esa-Oke in Obokun Local Government of Osun State, following the appointment of a King by the state government.
Pandemonium broke out in the town on Monday morning, when the people of the town attempted to resist the installation of one Timileyin Ajayi as the new Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle, a community Esa-Oke claims is under it.
Findings showed that the community had a village head appointed by Owamiran of Esa-Oke before the announcement of Ajayi who was said to hail from Ilesa, by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The community had attempted to resist the installation of Ajayi whom they considered as a stranger, when some men in police uniform started shooting and killed four persons.
Speaking with Journalists, a representative of Esa-Oke Central Union, Oladiti Awodiran, said “men in Police uniform invaded Esa-Oke community and started shooting sporadically leading to the death of no fewer than four youths while several others were wounded in the mayhem.”
“The pandemonium broke out as a result of the announcement by Governor Ademola Adeleke that a stranger had been appointed as Oba or Baale in a community within Esa-Oke town.
“The Esa-Oke community had in the past vehemently resisted the attempt to install an Oba or Baale in the community as the said settlement is right inside Esa-Oke town a few meters to the campus of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.
“To us, the appointment of a Baale or Oba on another town’s territory negates all logic, tradition and history. Esa-Oke is in Ijesa North Federal constituency. The settlement, Ido Ajegunle on which a monarch was appointed by Owa of Ilesa is Unit eleven, a polling station under Esa-Oke,” Awodiran said.
But Basuyi countered, reiterating the need to “set the record straight that Ido Ayegunle is a separate township from Esa Oke, with its own suburbs and recognized by the government of Osun State and Governor Ademola Adeleke.”
“After our late father’s passing four years ago, the Owa Omiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, appointed Jonfolo Lawrence Adebisi Obanla of Esa Oke as the Baale of Ido Ayegunle, despite Ido Ayegunle having a Part 2 Oba since 2024. This decision is deceitful and has hindered the growth and development of Ido Ayegunle.
“We sought government intervention and provided documentation to support our claims. The state government in pursuance of justice affirmed our claim, leading to the appointment of the new Olojudo. We are eternally grateful,” Basuyi stressed
Osun PPRO,Yemisi Opalola, said police operatives had been deployed to restore peace in the feuding communities where, according to het, seven policemen were shot when they arrived to maintain law and order.
“When we heard that there was a crisis in the area, we deployed our men to the communities (but) they were ambushed. The policemen were trying to clear the trees that were felled across their path when they were ambushed. A bullet hit one of them on the neck,” Opalola said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has described the situation as ‘unfortunate,’ assuring that security operatives were already in the town to restore peace.
“The disruption in Esa-Oke is quite unfortunate; we received the news with great shock. However, security agencies have been drafted to the place where they have restored peace and calm.
“Security operatives have been directed to investigate the situation to identify the root cause of the matter and bring to book all culprits.
“The Governor has ordered all the parties concerned to remain calm while we dig into the root cause of the situation. We sympathize with all victims of the incident. We promise them that justice will be done,” Alimi said.
