The ancient town of Esa Oke was thrown into chaos in the early hours of Monday, February 3, 2025, as the community came under siege by armed individuals, including some reportedly dressed in police uniforms.
The incident began around midnight when residents near the campus area, where the Obanla of Ido-Aiyegunle resides, raised alarm over a forced entry into his home. By 1:00 a.m., the Obanla was forcibly taken away under the cover of darkness. Despite immediate contact with the Esa Oke police division, no decisive action was taken to intervene. The Obanla was reportedly driven away at high speed to an undisclosed location.
The situation escalated dramatically by 8:00 a.m. when a busload of armed gunmen stormed the town, firing sporadically at residents. Preliminary reports indicate that at least five young men lost their lives, with many others sustaining severe injuries. Shockingly, the Esa Oke police division failed to act, with some officers allegedly complicit in the attack.
The Esa Oke Central Union (ECU) strongly condemns this brazen act of violence and calls for immediate intervention to restore peace and order. We believe that the recent pronouncement by Governor Ademola Adeleke regarding the Olujudo of Ido-Aiyegunle has emboldened the Prince Timileyin Oluyemi Ajayi and his associates to attempt to impose their authority over Ido-Aiyegunle, a community historically and culturally tied to Esa Oke.
The ECU questions the rationale behind a Governor, with access to numerous advisers, accepting a report that suggests Ilesa can claim jurisdiction over lands in Esa Oke, bypassing Ijebu-Jesa and even parts of Efon-Alaaye. Such actions undermine the integrity of traditional governance structures, threaten the peace of the region and downplayed the wisdom behind government edict of May 28,1999 which created Ijesha North Traditional Council and gazetted by the military government of the time under Col. Theophilus Bamigboye
We call on the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6; the Commissioner of Police in Osun State; the Director of the Department of State Security Services, Osogbo; the Brigade Commander of the Ede Military Cantonment; and all relevant security agencies to intervene swiftly and decisively. The situation in Esa Oke demands urgent attention to prevent further loss of life and property.
To the sons and daughters of Esa Oke, we urge you to remain steadfast and resolute. Do not lose hope. To our youths, this is a call to defend our land and heritage. We must stand united against any form of external aggression or expansionist agenda.
Finally, we issue a seven-day ultimatum to the Owa of Ilesa, Oba Isaac Haastrup, to rein in his associates and cease all hostilities. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to defend our community with all necessary means.
The Esa Oke Central Union remains committed to peace, justice, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.