OSOGBO — Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered a formal inquiry into the deaths, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction and the Motor Park/Garage Area in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.
The governor issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry to determine what led to the incident and establish the circumstances surrounding the reported violence. The order takes effect from August 31 and gives the panel responsibility for investigating the events and identifying those affected.
The state government announced the development on Saturday through a statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. According to the government, the inquiry will examine both the immediate and underlying causes of the violence and establish the identities and number of people who died or were injured.
The panel will be chaired by Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola, with Abiodun Badiora serving as secretary. Its responsibilities extend beyond determining how the killings occurred, as it has also been directed to examine whether individuals, groups or institutions contributed to the events through their actions or omissions.
A major part of the inquiry will focus on the conduct of security personnel who were present during the incident. The panel is expected to determine whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and, if so, whether their deployment complied with applicable laws, rules of engagement and human rights standards.
The government said the inquiry would also examine possible criminal responsibility connected with the deaths. It will have the authority to identify any person whose conduct may have contributed to the violence, including security personnel, political actors, transport union members, public officials, community members or other individuals.
The panel may make recommendations arising from its findings, including possible prosecution, disciplinary action, compensation for victims and institutional reforms. These recommendations are intended to address responsibility for the incident while also identifying measures that could help prevent similar violence from happening again.
To enable the inquiry to establish a detailed account of what occurred, the panel has been given broad powers to obtain evidence. It can summon witnesses, request relevant police and medical records, inspect the location of the incident and other relevant sites, and receive both oral and documentary evidence.
The inquiry will also be able to recommend protective measures for witnesses and other people who could face intimidation or retaliation because of their involvement in the proceedings.
Adeleke has separately directed that potential evidence connected to the incident be preserved. The materials identified by the government include firearms, ammunition records, police station diaries, communication logs, incident reports and duty rosters.
Medical and forensic materials are also to be preserved and made available where relevant. These include medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other documentation that could assist the panel in reconstructing events and determining the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.
The Executive Order further provides for measures to protect witnesses and families of people who were killed. It also requires the government to obtain relevant medical and forensic documentation while maintaining peace and security in Ikire throughout the inquiry.
The state government has additionally requested interim administrative measures involving any police officer whose continued operational command could potentially affect the investigation or public confidence in the process.
The Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and Osun State Commissioner of Police have been formally asked to consider appropriate administrative steps in relation to officers whose positions could prejudice the inquiry or undermine confidence in its outcome.
Other members of the panel include AIG (Dr) Aderanti C. Kayode, mni, retired; Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; Comrade Wale Balogun, representing civil society organisations; a representative of the Ikire community; and Dr Babatunde Afolabi, who will serve as the medical and forensic representative.
The panel is expected to begin its sitting within seven days of its inauguration. It has also been directed to submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days of its first sitting, although the governor may approve an extension if necessary.
The government is encouraging people with relevant information to participate in the inquiry. Victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders and human rights activists are among those invited to provide memoranda and evidence.
The invitation is intended to broaden the evidence available to the panel and allow people with direct knowledge of the incident to present information that could assist the investigation.
Adeleke assured residents of Ikire and families affected by the violence that the process would be conducted thoroughly and transparently. He also said those found responsible should face justice regardless of their political, institutional or social position.
The governor’s position is that no person found culpable should receive protection because of political connections, public office, influence or institutional affiliation.
At the same time, the government stressed that allegations made against individuals during the process should not automatically be treated as established facts. Any accusation against a person must be supported by credible evidence before the panel reaches its conclusions.
The inquiry therefore has been designed to establish the facts surrounding the August 24 violence, determine responsibility where evidence supports it and consider measures for addressing the consequences suffered by victims and their families.
The government said the broader objective is not only to establish what happened at the affected locations in Ikire but also to identify weaknesses or circumstances that may have contributed to the violence and recommend reforms where necessary.
With the panel expected to commence proceedings shortly after its inauguration, evidence from witnesses, official records, medical documentation and other relevant materials will form part of the process through which the events of August 24 are to be examined.
The Osun State Government has consequently placed responsibility for establishing the circumstances of the incident in the hands of the newly constituted panel, while directing relevant security and government institutions to preserve materials that could assist in determining what occurred.
The outcome of the inquiry is expected to provide the state government with findings on the deaths, injuries and violence, as well as recommendations on accountability, victim support, disciplinary action and institutional changes aimed at preventing a recurrence.
Adeleke Sets Up Panel to Probe Ikire Killings, Orders Evidence Preservation
