Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has constituted a Coroner Inquest and Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence that rocked Ikire on August 24, declaring that nobody found culpable will be shielded from justice.
The inquiry follows violent incidents reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, as well as the Motor Park/Garage Area in Ikire, with Adeleke saying the state government is determined to uncover the truth behind the deaths and injuries.
The governor announced the constitution of the panel in a post titled “Justice Must Be Done In Ikire” on his verified X handle, @AAdeleke_01, on Saturday.
According to him, the panel was established through an Executive Order and has been mandated to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident, including the roles played by security operatives and other actors.
It will also identify individuals whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the violence and recommend appropriate measures where culpability is established.
The panel is chaired by Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola, while Mr Abiodun Badiora serves as Secretary.
Other members are retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Dr Aderanti C. Kayode, mni; Mr Dele Akintayo; a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association; Comrade Wale Balogun, representing Civil Society Organisations; a community representative from Ikire; and Dr Babatunde Afolabi, the Medical/Forensic Representative.
Adeleke said the panel would make recommendations on prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms, where necessary.
The governor’s directive places particular emphasis on accountability, with an assurance that political influence, official position or institutional affiliation would not protect anyone found responsible.
“I assure the people of Ikire, the families of the deceased, the injured and the entire people of Osun State that no person found culpable will be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation,” Adeleke said.
He said the state owed the victims and their families the truth about what happened, while also owing the people of Ikire a peaceful and secure community.
“We owe the victims and their families the truth. We owe our people justice. And we owe the people of Ikire a peaceful and secure community,” the governor declared.
The inquiry is expected to provide an official account of the events of August 24 and determine whether any individuals or institutions bear responsibility for the violence.
Its recommendations could subsequently form the basis for prosecution, disciplinary action, compensation and reforms aimed at strengthening security and preventing a recurrence in Ikire.
