Ikire Killings: Families Reject Police Account, Demand Independent Investigation

Families of the four people killed at the Naira and Kobo Junction in Ikire, Osun State, have rejected the police account of the incident and called for an independent investigation into the deaths.

The families made the demand during a press conference organised by Senator Lere Oyewumi and relatives of those killed and wounded during the incident on Monday, August 24, 2026.

They accused the police of presenting a one-sided account that blamed the victims while allegedly shielding officers involved in what they described as extra-judicial killings.

“We are here to set the records straight and to vehemently reject the police account which blamed the victims and whitewashed the aggressors,” the families said.

They also questioned the police investigation, alleging that people who were present during the incident were not allowed to give their accounts before the police reached its conclusion.

“It is surprising and shocking that the police did not allow those present to speak from the palace to the conclusion of its investigation. Yet, it went ahead to declare a verdict and even proceeded to put alleged suspects under duress to make false confessional statements,” they alleged.

The families raised questions over the presence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Naira and Kobo garage, insisting that the park was peaceful before the incident.

“The Naira and Kobo garage was peaceful as at the day of the incident. So what was the DPO doing at the Naira and Kobo garage?” they asked.

They also questioned why police officers allegedly opened fire at the park and how unarmed civilians could have disarmed six armed policemen, describing the circumstances surrounding the incident as requiring further investigation.

“We make bold to say that the police has not conducted any investigation because it is desperate to protect the DPO,” the families said.

The group also rejected allegations linking Senator Lere Oyewumi to the incident, saying the senator instead helped to prevent the situation from escalating.

According to them, Oyewumi appealed to residents not to take the law into their own hands and assisted the Commissioner of Police in navigating troubled areas amid tension in the community.

“We declare that Senator Oyewumi is not in any way involved in the matter. His intervention saved the day as it prevents Ikire from being engulfed in far more serious communal reprisal attacks,” they said.

The families called on the Osun State Government to expedite the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the Ikire incident and other related matters.

They also demanded justice for those killed and injured, insisting that the police should not be allowed to determine the outcome of an investigation into allegations involving its own officers.

“We therefore call for independent investigation. We call on the state government to fast track the setting up of the commission of enquiry to look into this and other related issues,” the families said.