Fulani herdsmen did not kill any family in Osun – Police

The Osun State Police Command has debunked the news making the round that a couple and their children were allegedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The Command stated rather that the couple died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident along the Osogbo-Iragbiji road.

The Command in a statement by the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Kehinde Longe and signed the spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola on Friday revealed that the couples which the rumour claimed were residents of Idi-Ogungun, Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State were involved in the accident with a private vehicle which was trying to avoid hitting cattle which had veered into the road in the particular village.

According to the statement, “The attention of Osun State Police Command has been drawn to the viral news which is being circulated on social media that, ‘residents of Idi-Ogungun, a village in Iragbiji, Boripe Local government of Osun State on Tuesday night thrown into mourning when a pregnant woman, her husband and their two children were allegedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

“The Police Command wants to emphatically state and put the record straight that, on 2nd May, 2023 about 8:55pm, there was a fatal motor/motorcycle/ cow accident around Idi Ogungun, near Onioba village Iragbiji involving a Camry car with Registration number ABJ 288 KR driven by one Babatunde Afeez ‘m’ of No.12, Oloti Area, Iragbiji, Osun State, ran/knocked down a red Bajaj motorcycle with registration number SGB 544 QG, ridden by one Oladapo Saheed together with his wife and two children, while trying to avoid herd of cows under the custody of one Buba Umar that strayed on the path of the vehicle.

“The unfortunate accident occurred when the said cyclist with his family were heading towards Iragbiji Road from Osogbo whereas the driver of the car was heading towards Osogbo.

“The two were on top speed, at a point along Onioba village, the driver of the car ran into the herds of cattle and in an attempt to maneuver, ran into the motorcycle, which led to the death of the cyclist’s son on the spot, while the cyclist, his pregnant wife and daughter were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the husband and wife with their unborn child were later confirmed dead, while their daughter is recuperating at the hospital.”

Opalola revealed that the driver of the said vehicle as well as the herder have been arrested and they will be arraigned at the court as soon as investigation is completed.