At least five people, including three commercial bus drivers and two passersby, are feared dead following a violent clash at Naira and Kobo Garage in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday amid an escalating dispute over the control of the motor park, with suspected political thugs allegedly taking part in the confrontation.
The violence has heightened concerns over the growing influence of political groups in the management of motor parks across the state, particularly following the recent Osun State governorship election.
An eyewitness who was present at the scene but managed to escape told SaharaReporters that the clash was connected to an alleged struggle for control of major motor parks in different parts of the state.
According to the source, competing political interests had been engaged in a battle for influence over motor parks, with the dispute reportedly becoming more intense after the outcome of the governorship election.
The witness alleged that political loyalists associated with different parties had been attempting to establish control over motor parks in towns including Ikire, Ile-Ife, Osogbo and Iwo.
He claimed that the situation became particularly tense after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the result of the governorship election, which, according to the source, produced the Accord candidate as the winner.
“The issue started immediately after INEC declared the results of the Osun State governorship election, which produced Accord as the winner,” the source said.
He alleged that before the election, suspected loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had exercised significant influence over several motor parks in the state.
“Before the election, you know that thugs loyal to the APC had taken over many motor parks in Osun State, including major towns such as Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo,” he alleged.
The witness claimed that supporters of Accord subsequently moved to take control of some of the parks following the announcement of the election result, apparently believing that the change in political leadership would affect the management of the facilities.
“After the election results, the Accord thugs took over the parks, believing that they now had the backing of the state government. That happened last week,” he said.
According to him, the development reportedly triggered a counter-move by rival political groups seeking to reclaim influence over the motor parks.
He alleged that the violence recorded on Monday was part of a wider confrontation involving rival groups in several towns across Osun State.
“So this morning, the APC thugs restrategised and launched attacks at different parks in major towns across the state,” the source alleged.
“Both the issue of motor park leadership and the local government issues caused this morning’s attacks and killings. It happened around the same time across the state, including Ikire, Iwo and Osogbo.”
The witness described the confrontation in Ikire as particularly violent, saying he was at the location when the fighting began and only escaped by providence.
“The one here in Ikire was brutal. I was around the scene when the attack started, and God saved me,” he said.
However, the source cautioned against conclusively blaming any particular political party for the deaths, saying it was difficult to immediately determine which faction was responsible for the killings.
“We cannot really say whether it was APC or Accord thugs that caused the killings, but what was certain was that they were political thugs,” he said.
Reports surrounding the incident also alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ikire, identified as Mr Olatona Bamidele, visited the garage during the confrontation.
According to the allegations, the police officer went to the area purportedly to clear the road and facilitate access for suspected APC supporters allegedly led by a man identified as Ojuyobo.
The claims concerning the police officer’s alleged role could not independently establish whether he acted to assist any political group or was responding to the violence and attempting to restore order.
Videos reportedly circulating from the scene showed at least two bodies lying on the ground following the confrontation.
One of the victims appeared to have sustained what looked like a gunshot injury to the head, while another body was seen lying motionless nearby.
The identities of the victims were not immediately established at the time of the report.
The reported death toll of five could also not immediately be independently verified, while the circumstances surrounding the deaths remained unclear.
The incident has nevertheless raised fresh concerns about the security implications of political rivalry and control of motor parks in Osun State.
Motor parks have historically been areas of intense competition among transport unions, political actors and other interest groups in parts of Nigeria. Control of such facilities can provide access to revenue, influence over transport operators and a strong grassroots political network.
The alleged involvement of political thugs in the Ikire clash therefore adds another dimension to the dispute, particularly coming shortly after the state’s governorship election.
Residents and transport operators in affected communities are likely to be concerned about the potential for further violence if rival groups continue to contest control of motor parks.
The incident also underscores the need for security agencies to investigate the reported killings, identify those responsible and prevent further clashes.
Authorities would also need to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and determine whether firearms were used during the confrontation.
Beyond immediate security measures, the dispute highlights broader questions about the administration and control of motor parks and the extent to which political interests influence their management.
As tension remains high, residents of Ikire and other affected communities will be looking to the state government and security agencies to restore calm and ensure that disputes over motor park leadership do not escalate into further violence.
Until an official investigation establishes the identities of those killed and determines who was responsible, allegations linking the deaths to particular political groups remain unverified.
