Senator Lere Oyewumi has called for an independent investigation into the deadly violence that occurred at Naira and Kobo Motor Park in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
Senator Oyewumi made the demand on Friday amid controversy surrounding the circumstances that led to the deaths and the subsequent arrest of four suspects by the Osun State Police Command.
The senator, who is the Deputy Minority Leader, also rejected allegations linking him to the violence through one of the suspects arrested in connection with the incident.
The violence erupted on Monday during an alleged attempt by hoodlums to take control of the motor park.
The Osun State Police Command disclosed that two people were killed, while three police personnel reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.
A police officer also reportedly had his AK-47 rifle snatched during the confrontation, heightening tension in the community.
Following the incident, the Osun Police Command announced the arrest of four suspects.
One of those arrested, identified as Sikiru Adedeji, was alleged to have implicated Senator Oyewumi as the mastermind who mobilised them for the attack.
However, speaking with journalists at the Imole Media Centre in Osogbo on Friday, Oyewumi dismissed the allegation and disputed the police account of the incident.
He accused the police of conducting a one-sided investigation, alleging that the process was aimed at protecting some officers while shifting responsibility to others.
Oyewumi said, “I instead worked to prevent the situation from escalating, particularly by discouraging residents from resorting to reprisals.
“I prevailed on residents of Ikire not to take the law into their own hands and assisted the Commissioner of Police in navigating troubled areas amid heightened tension.”
The senator also questioned the circumstances surrounding the presence of the Divisional Police Officer and his men at the motor park, claiming that the area was peaceful before the arrival of the police team.
“I make bold to say that the police have not conducted any investigation because they are desperate to protect the DPO. The culpability of the DPO and his men in this matter cannot be swept under the carpet,” Oyewumi alleged.
He, therefore, urged the Osun State Government to expedite the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate the Ikire violence and determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
“I call for an independent investigation. I call on the state government to fast-track the setting up of a commission of inquiry to look into this and other related issues,” he said.
