A human rights group, Hope For The Common Man in Iwo, Osun State, has expressed concerns over the handling of a case involving a 68-year-old woman, Mrs. Ayetimiyi Ibironke, who was attacked by a gang of suspected thugs at Ori-Eru junction in Iwo on September 6, 2026. The Executive Director of the group, Nurudeen Ibraheem, stated that the Divisional Police Officer of Adeeke Police Division, Sunday Fayofunmi Osungbure, failed to act when the children of Ibironke, who was being allegedly brutalized by some thugs, stormed the Ori-Eru junction.
According to Ibraheem, the victim, Mrs. Ibironke Ayetimiyi, is not a member of, or affiliated with, any faction of Okada riders, but simply a petty fish seller carrying out her lawful business in the area. This contradicts a statement earlier issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun, Abiodun Ojelabi, claiming that Mrs. Ibironke was supporting a faction of Okada riders at the junction. Ibraheem expressed worry that the PPRO's press statement was devoid of the allegation that Adeeke Police Station DPO ignored pleas by the victim's children to rescue their mother.
The human rights group rendered an account of the alleged attack, mentioning that the attack was led by one Saheed Ajani, alongside other suspected hoodlums identified as Taiye Agbede, Isa, also known as "Iroko", Eje, and Ileogbo. The victim's children alleged that they rushed to the Adeeke Police Station, Iwo, to seek intervention after the attack began, but claimed that the Divisional Police Officer, Sunday Fayofunmi Osungbure, failed to act. One of the victim's children said that the DPO told them he cannot do anything, that the issue is beyond him.
The family alleged that Ajani remained free after the incident and had allegedly used the same police station to harass them through what they described as trumped-up allegations. Instead of arresting Saheed Ajani, the police are now arresting them, claiming they retaliated when Ajani was attacking their mother. Ibraheem had said he intervened in the matter, narrating how Ibironke was allegedly beaten unconscious after she refused to allow some people to take bottles from her shop.
According to Ibraheem, the incident was linked to a clash between two groups of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders. The two groups were reportedly led by Ajani and one Muri from Osogbo, with the dispute allegedly connected to control of commercial motorcycle operations in Iwo. Ibraheem said Ibironke's refusal to allow Ajani's associates to take bottles from her shop allegedly angered the group, which then attacked her.
Days after, the PPRO issued a statement, noting that the human rights activist's narrations did not portray "the true fact of the case." The police investigation revealed that there are two factions of Okada riders at Iri-Eru junction, Iwo, and one faction is supported by one Ajani Saheed, who owns a hotel at the same junction, while the other faction is supported by one Ibironke Arowolo, who owns a beer parlor at the same junction.
The police arrested five suspects who took part in the Assault Occasioning Harm, Conduct Likely, and Affray. The incident has highlighted the need for police to take decisive action in cases of assault and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The case is currently under investigation.
Key points
- The Osun Police and a human rights group, Hope For The Common Man, have differing accounts of the handling of the case involving the assault of a 68-year-old woman in Iwo, Osun State.
- The incident was allegedly linked to a clash between two groups of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders.
- The police have arrested five suspects in connection with the assault.
