No fewer than five persons have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone XI, Osogbo, in connection with the killing of two residents during the February 17, 2025 local government crisis in Osun State.
Those killed were identified as Segun Oloyede and Taiwo Oyebamiji. They reportedly lost their lives during violent clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party over control of local government secretariats across the state.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ade Ogunyemi, said the suspects were currently in police custody.
“Yes, we arrested five persons and they are currently in our custody,” Ogunyemi said.
He added that the suspects were being interrogated to establish their individual roles in the incident, assuring that the police would carry out a thorough investigation and ensure justice is served.
Speaking with journalists, families of the victims said the arrests came almost one year after the incident, noting that they had waited for justice since their loved ones were allegedly killed by political hoodlums in Iragbiji, headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area.
The father of the late Segun Oloyede, Mr. Israel Oloyede, alleged that his son and Taiwo were shot during the political violence that erupted on the said day.
According to him, Segun, who was married and had a son, went to Iragbiji with friends after hearing that the governor was coming for a political rally.
Narrating the incident, he said, “We heard that the governor was coming for a political rally to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for the local government election in Iragbiji, and my son, Segun Oloyede, went there with his friends to welcome him.
“It was while they were waiting for the governor that some hoodlums started shooting. My son was shot. He was not the only one shot; about 15 people were injured. However, two of them died on their way to the hospital.”
Mr. Oloyede lamented that Segun was his only son, adding that life had not been the same for the family since his death.
“It is almost a year now, and we have not gotten justice. The matter was reported at the state police command, but nothing was done,” he said.
He disclosed that the five suspects were arrested by police operatives from Zone XI, Osogbo, and appealed to the police to ensure that all those involved in the killing were brought to justice.
Mr. Oloyede also alleged that his son’s killer had been threatening members of his family, including his daughter, calling on the state government and security agencies to protect them.
“The person who killed my son has been threatening people, including my daughter. We can no longer live peacefully in the town.
“What I want is justice. My son should not die like that. The police should not release those arrested and should ensure that everyone involved is brought to book,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs. Adijat Popoola, the aunt of the late Taiwo Oyebamiji, described the killing of her nephew as devastating for the family, noting that his mother had not recovered from the trauma.
She said, “I was in Osogbo that day. When I heard that people were going to the local government, I called him in the morning and warned him to be careful.
“Around 1.00 p.m., I received a call that Taiwo had been killed, and I rushed home. Since then, his mother has not been the same, yet those responsible have not faced justice.”
Mrs. Popoola appealed to the police and the government to ensure that all those responsible for the killings were identified, arrested, and prosecuted, while also calling for support for the affected families.
Meanwhile, Ogunyemi reiterated that investigations into the matter were ongoing, assuring that the police would not shield anyone found culpable.
