Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has established a Coroner Inquest and Panel of Inquiry to investigate the killings and violence that occurred in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on Monday.
The governor issued an Executive Order establishing the panel on Saturday, with the order set to take effect on August 31.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in Osogbo said the panel would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including determining the identities and number of victims.
It will also examine the immediate and underlying causes of the violence and determine whether criminal responsibility was connected to the deaths recorded during the incident.
Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola was appointed chairman of the panel, while Abiodun Badiora will serve as secretary.
Other members include retired AIG Aderanti C. Kayode, Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wale Balogun, representing civil society organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr Babatunde Afolabi, who will serve as the medical and forensic representative.
According to Adeleke, the panel will investigate the circumstances surrounding the shootings and killings, including the role played by security operatives.
It will also determine whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with applicable laws, rules of engagement and human rights standards.
The panel may recommend criminal prosecution, disciplinary action, compensation for victims and institutional reforms aimed at preventing a recurrence.
The governor said the panel would have the authority to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene and other locations connected to the incident, and receive oral and documentary evidence.
It would also be empowered to recommend measures to protect witnesses and other persons considered vulnerable to intimidation or retaliation.
Adeleke 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.
He also said the Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and Osun State Commissioner of Police had been formally asked to consider appropriate interim administrative measures concerning any police officer whose continued operational command could prejudice the inquiry or undermine public confidence in the process.
The governor directed the panel to begin 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 extension approved by the government.
Adeleke assured residents of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the wider public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.
He said anyone found culpable would face justice regardless of their status, position, political connections or institutional affiliation.
The governor, however, cautioned that all allegations remained unproven until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest and Panel of Inquiry.
The development follows an earlier report by the News Agency of Nigeria that the Osun State Police Command said two civilians were killed while two police officers sustained serious injuries during an attack allegedly carried out by suspected political thugs in Ikire.
According to the police, the incident occurred at about 11 a.m. on Monday along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway when a patrol team attached to the Ikire Division, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, responded to a distress call over the alleged abduction of a man identified as Sunkanmi.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the officers were attacked by unidentified assailants upon arriving at the location.
He said the attackers opened fire on the officers while they were inside their operational vehicle and succeeded in taking an AK-47 service rifle.
According to him, the assailants subsequently used the stolen rifle to fire indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of two civilians.
The police later announced the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incidents.