The Osun State Police Command has recovered another corpse within the precinct of the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife, bringing to two the number of deaths linked to Sunday’s shooting at the park.
The development was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, who said the recovered corpse had been deposited at the morgue while investigation into the incident had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further probe.
The latest development came as the remains of an Accord Party chieftain in the state, Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, were buried at his newly completed residence in the Agunbelewo area of Osogbo on Monday.
Oyeyemi was reportedly shot dead on Sunday during a clash at the Mayfair Motor Park involving his group and another faction led by a National Union of Road Transport Workers leader identified as Sibi.
Confirming the recovery of the second corpse, Ojelabi said the state government had ordered that the park remain closed following the violence.
He said, “A corpse was also recovered by the police, and it has been deposited at the morgue. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for more investigation.”
The police spokesman also urged persons being mentioned in connection with the incident to report themselves at the nearest police station rather than using social media to defend themselves.
“The Commissioner of Police has promised that all those involved will be apprehended and face the law, irrespective of who they are,” Ojelabi added.
Oyeyemi’s death has been linked to moves by some members of the transport union to install him as the next chairman of the Osun State NURTW.
However, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, denied claims that he summoned NURTW leaders to his residence in Modakeke on Sunday to endorse Oyeyemi as the next chairman.
Oyedele explained that the union leaders had approached him to inform him of their decision to support Oyeyemi and seek his backing.
According to him, the leaders arrived at his residence around 9am and informed him that they had agreed to install Oyeyemi as their next chairman.
He said he told them he would present their position to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Chief of Staff and other relevant officials when the governor returned to the state.
Oyedele said he was informed of Oyeyemi’s death about two hours after the union leaders left his residence.
Meanwhile, the burial of Oyeyemi was conducted according to traditional rites and witnessed by close family members and priests.
His associates, who accompanied his remains from the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, reportedly waited outside the premises while the interment was carried out.
The police have promised to apprehend all those found culpable in connection with the violence, while authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm as efforts continue to resolve the crisis.
