Residents of Iwoye in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State have accused the traditional ruler, Oba Adekoyejo Adebusoye Oyebamiji, of ordering operatives of the Osun State Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, to attack members of the community and prevent the burial of an elderly man.
In a disturbing video obtained by this newspaper, chaos erupted as residents were seen fleeing for safety amid gunfire allegedly discharged by Amotekun operatives.
A victim with blood streaming from his head lay unconscious, as eyewitnesses claimed he was beaten and macheted during the incident.
One of the victims, Comrade Samson Tola, told this newspaper that he had just returned from Osogbo, where his family lives, and went directly to his farm.
However, he encountered a motorbike convoy of Amotekun operatives on his way back.
According to Tola, the assault happened on Friday, May 9, after a heated disagreement reportedly arose between the monarch and the family of the deceased over the location of the burial.
“I met a convoy of Amotekun on my way back from the farm,” Tola said.
“They stopped in front of me and one of them shouted, ‘Get this man arrested.’ I asked why, and after a brief argument, they let me go. I didn’t know they had earlier clashed with a family who lost their father, and the king reportedly ordered that the man must not be buried in Iwoye.”
Tola alleged that the monarch, whom residents described as repressive, had consistently used security agents to intimidate villagers.
“Later, they returned with reinforcements, wielding machetes, axes, locally fabricated weapons, and guns. I took a short video,” he said.
The situation escalated further when the operatives met him at a secluded spot.
“They accused me of recording them during the gunfire. I refused to hand over my phone, so they beat me up. They tried to seize my phone, and during the struggle, my N20,000 fell. One of them picked it up. They also took my cutlass,” Tola explained.
He added that the Amotekun operatives also damaged his phone and macheted him.
“I’m currently at the Awo Police Station in Egbedore to file a report. I was just coming from my farm; I had no idea what happened. I did not fight anyone,” he said.
Another eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, told this newspaper that the monarch was controversially installed by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola weeks before leaving office.
“He is what we Yorubas call an ‘Oba Oru’ – installed secretly without community involvement. We warned against it, but the government forced him on us,” the resident said.
Multiple eyewitnesses also confirmed the attack, accusing the monarch of sending Amotekun to enforce his will.
“They macheted that man like he was a criminal. He fainted. Look how they slashed him,” one resident cried in one of the videos obtained by SaharaReporters. “It was the king who sent them.”
Another voice in the background expressed outrage: “So it’s Amotekun they want to use to destroy peace in Iwoye! You said the deceased family shouldn’t bury their loved one! This is madness. Is that how a monarch should behave?”
When this newspaper contacted the Osun State Amotekun Corps Commander, Hon. Isaac Adekunle Omoyele, he said, “I’m not aware of it. I will find out and get back to you.”
