NUJ Condemns Ikire Motor Park Killings, Charges New Osun Police Commissioner on Security
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, has condemned the killing of two persons around the Naira and Kobo Motor Park in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, describing the incident as a serious threat to public safety and peaceful coexistence in the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, and Secretary, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju, the council also condemned a reported attack on a police patrol team that responded to a distress call during the incident, an assault that left two police officers injured and a patrol vehicle destroyed. The NUJ described the overall episode as deeply troubling for a state already grappling with heightened political and security tension.
The council called on the Osun State Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation into the killings, the attack on police personnel, and the destruction of government property, and to ensure that all those found responsible are arrested and prosecuted. It further urged residents and community leaders in Ikire to cooperate with security agencies by volunteering credible information that could help identify those behind the violence.
The NUJ used the statement to formally welcome the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, urging him to prioritise intelligence-led policing, community engagement, and rapid response to distress calls as he settles into the role. The council specifically charged the new police leadership to tackle cultism, thuggery, and organised violence across the state, while ensuring that attacks on police personnel are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
Beyond addressing the immediate security concerns, the NUJ also called on the new commissioner to uphold professionalism, respect for human rights, and accountability in the command’s operations, stressing that public confidence in the police could be strengthened through regular engagement and transparent communication with residents. The council appealed to members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, even as it urged security agencies to act swiftly and decisively against those fueling unrest in the state.
The NUJ’s intervention comes closely on the heels of the killing incident at the Ikire motor park, which had earlier drawn condemnation from other stakeholders, including political parties and civil society groups, following disputed reports over the exact death toll and circumstances surrounding the violence. The Osun State Police Command had previously confirmed that shootings occurred in the area but said it was still gathering full details of the incident.
The council concluded its statement by extending condolences to the families of those killed in the Ikire violence and wishing the injured police officers a speedy recovery, while reiterating its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace and security across Osun State.
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