The Osun APC Media Cluster has called on the Osun State Police Command to invite and investigate Senator Lere Oyewumi over allegations linking him to the violent incident and killings reported in Ikire on Monday.
The group made the demand in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Olufunsho Fagbohungbe (GFOD), and issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Tayo Oyediran, following the parade of four suspects arrested by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the violence.
The Cluster said its demand followed alleged revelations made by one of the suspects, identified as Sikiru Adedeji, during the police briefing.
According to the group, Adedeji allegedly claimed that the suspects worked for Senator Oyewumi, whom they reportedly referred to as “Oga.”
The Osun APC Media Cluster said the allegation should not be dismissed as a mere political accusation, particularly because of the seriousness of the violence and the reported loss of lives.
The group also referred to an account allegedly attributed to the suspect concerning an individual identified as Ayewo, whom the police reportedly described as a notorious criminal and alleged associate of Senator Oyewumi.
According to the Cluster, the suspect alleged that Ayewo was involved in the reported snatching of a firearm from a police officer during the incident.
It further claimed that the suspect's account alleged that two innocent passers-by were subsequently killed, while some police officers were also wounded.
Reacting to the development, the Cluster urged the police to expand their investigation beyond the four suspects already arrested and examine the possible involvement of anyone named or implicated during the investigation.
“We are asking the Commissioner of Police a very simple question: if an arrested suspect, while being paraded by the police, identifies Senator Lere Oyewumi as the person for whom they worked and refers to him as their ‘Oga’, what further evidence does the police need before inviting the Senator for questioning?” the statement quoted Oyediran as saying.
The group stressed that Senator Oyewumi's position as a serving senator and Deputy Senate Minority Leader should not prevent law enforcement authorities from investigating allegations against him.
It urged the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Umar Zungura, to invite the senator for questioning and establish the facts surrounding the allegations.
The Cluster also called for an investigation into the alleged relationship between Senator Oyewumi and Ayewo, the circumstances surrounding the reported firearm incident, the source and control of weapons allegedly used during the violence, as well as the identities of possible financiers, sponsors or individuals who may have directed the perpetrators.
The group, however, stated that it was not asking the police to presume Senator Oyewumi guilty.
“We are not asking the police to pronounce Senator Lere Oyewumi guilty without investigation. We are demanding that he be investigated. If the allegations against him are false, let the police establish that through a transparent investigation,” the statement said.
It added that should credible evidence establish that anyone sponsored, directed, financed or participated in criminal activities connected with the violence, such individuals should be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Osun APC Media Cluster commended the police for the arrests already made and urged the Command to remain professional and resist any political pressure capable of undermining the investigation.
The group also appealed to residents of Ikire and families of victims to remain calm, while calling for justice for those who lost their lives and those injured during the incident.
The Cluster maintained that the people of Ikire deserve a comprehensive investigation and clear answers concerning the violence, insisting that anyone found culpable—whether as a perpetrator, financier, sponsor, instigator or organiser—should face the full consequences of the law.
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