Five individuals were reportedly killed on Monday following a clash over control of the Naira and Kobo garage, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
The incident followed an alleged attempt by an unidentified group to forcefully take over the motor garage.
A video clip obtained by Peoples Gazette, showing the aftermath of the incident, revealed the lifeless body of an unidentified man with a bleeding gunshot wound to the head.
The victim sat lifelessly inside a gold-coloured Sienna car.
A separate footage showed another lifeless victim on the ground.
According to Oshogbo updates on Instagram, three commercial bus drivers and two passersby were killed during the clash. Further details surrounding the circumstances are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
Confirming the clash to the Gazette, spokesperson for the Osun State police command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said an investigation into the matter has commenced.
“Presently, we’re still looking at the matter. Once we’re done with the investigation, we will refer back to you. Give us time,” Mr Ojelabi said.
Reacting, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance (CCSOGG), in a statement on Monday, condemned the incident, adding that it claimed innocent lives.
“This latest bloodletting is particularly disturbing coming barely days after the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election and after repeated warnings by civil society groups and the state government about the danger of renewed violence around motor parks and local government areas,” Olalekan Johnson, the coalition’s secretary, said.
He described the alleged takeover of the motor park in the town by people “within the security architecture, including the Ikire Divisional Police Officer” as serious.
“The coalition is deeply alarmed by allegations that the attempted takeover of the motor park was aided or facilitated by elements within the security architecture, including the Divisional Police Officer in Ikire,” Mr Johnson stated.
“We stress that these are serious allegations which must be subjected to an immediate, transparent and independent investigation. No police officer, regardless of rank or political connection, has the constitutional authority to facilitate the activities of political thugs or provide cover for criminal elements,” he said.
The coalition warned politicians, financiers of violence, criminal gangs and compromised security personnel against perpetrating “impunity” in the state.
“The era of using innocent citizens as expendable pawns in political battles must end. Those who sponsor violence today should understand that the law does not recognise political protection as immunity from criminal responsibility,” the coalition said.
The civil society called for an independent and prompt investigation into the incident.
“We equally demand the immediate investigation of the conduct of the Ikire Divisional Police Officer and every other security official alleged to have aided or compromised the operation, with appropriate disciplinary and criminal action where evidence establishes wrongdoing,” the coalition said.