The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday issued an executive order establishing a coroner inquest and panel of inquiry into the killings and violence that occurred in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state on Monday.

Mr Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Saturday in Osogbo, said the executive order would take effect from August 31.

The governor said the panel was empowered to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the identities and number of victims.

He said the panel would also establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence and examine whether criminal responsibility was connected with the deaths recorded during the incident.

Mr Adeleke said Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola had been appointed chairman of the panel, while Abiodun Badiora would serve as secretary.

Other members of the panel are AIG Aderanti C. Kayode, mni (rtd.), Mr Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wale Balogun, representing civil society organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr Babatunde Afolabi, the medical and forensic representative.

The governor said the panel was mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings and examine the role of security operatives.

He said the panel would also establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards, among other issues.

According to him, the panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence.

“The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records.

“It will also inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation,” he said.

Mr Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms and ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

The governor said the Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police in the state had been formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command might prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.

Mr Adeleke said the panel was expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the state government within 30 days of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the government.

The governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.

Mr Adeleke said no person found culpable would be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation.

He, however, said all allegations remained allegations until established by credible evidence before the coroner inquest and panel.

The police command had on Tuesday said two civilians were killed while two of its officers sustained serious injuries during an attack by suspected political thugs in Ikire.

A statement by the police public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said unidentified assailants, suspected to be political thugs, attacked a police patrol team attached to the Ikire Division at about 11:00 a.m. on Monday along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.

He said the patrol team, accompanied by the divisional police officer (DPO) of Ikire Division, was responding to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man, Sunkanmi, whose surname was unknown.

According to him, upon arrival at the location, the officers came under a sudden and unprovoked attack by a group of unidentified hoodlums.

He said the assailants opened fire on the officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in snatching an AK-47 service rifle.

“The hoodlums used the stolen weapon to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of two innocent civilians,” he said.

Police later said they had arrested four suspects in connection with the incidents.

 (NAN).