Blessing Bello, Reporting
TWO members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been killed and six others wounded after suspected gunmen opened fire on a political mobilisation meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday night.
The attack, which targeted party supporters gathered for a rally in support of the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has heightened political tensions in the state ahead of the upcoming poll.
Eyewitnesses told Stonix News that the assailants, dressed in black police-style uniforms, arrived in a white bus and initially attempted to abduct a local APC youth leader, Ogundele Awosola, known as Ogunteru. When he resisted and escaped, the gunmen fired indiscriminately at those still at the venue.
The dead have been identified as Kazeem Akande, 70, and Lekan (surname withheld), both of whom succumbed to gunshot wounds. Among the injured are the APC flag bearer for the area, Kehinde Salaudeen, 60; Olalekan Mutiu; and a 13-year-old girl, Rodiyat Ariyo.
‘They came for me’
Mr Awosola, who was the primary target, alleged that the attackers were retaliating against him and others who had recently defected from the Accord Party to the APC.
“We were having a meeting with my people. We saw a white bus and another vehicle and thought they were policemen, so we did not run,” he said.
“But one of them, whom I know as Rugged, pointed a gun at me and ordered me to follow him. I told him I was not a cult member and asked what business I had with them. He fired into the air to threaten me, but I pushed him away and escaped.
“I later called the police. When they arrived, we discovered that many of our members had been shot. The police also recovered a new Beretta pistol at the scene. These people have been monitoring the area since we joined the APC.”
Mr Awosola also named two individuals he claimed had recently been released from prison as participants in the attack.
‘I had just left’
A former Accord Party local government chairman who recently defected to the APC, Hon. Akinloye Isiaka, said he narrowly escaped the attack after leaving the meeting shortly before the gunmen struck.
“My brother, Awosola, invited me to the meeting. I had just left when the attack occurred. I am demanding justice for those who lost their lives,” he told journalists at the Osogbo Central Hospital, where some of the injured were being treated.
APC leaders condemn ‘politically motivated’ violence
Senior APC figures, including the Media Head of the Governorship Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye; former Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke; and Senior Special Assistant to the President, Ambassador Issah Niniola, later visited the scene and the hospitals where victims were receiving care.
Ambassador Niniola condemned the attack and alleged that the violence was politically orchestrated.
“Those released from prison are being armed to unleash violence on our members and create fear among voters. We want the international community to take note of what is happening in Osun.
“The claim that the victims were cultists is not logical. We urge our members not to be intimidated,” he said.
Hon. Adebayo Adeleke went further, alleging that some of the perpetrators were operating from the Government House, and called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene urgently.
“This attack was premeditated. The Inspector-General of Police must act decisively because the security situation in Osun is becoming alarming.
“One of the issues we earlier raised was the alleged use of police uniforms by some Amotekun operatives to perpetrate crimes, but nothing has been done. Survivors told us the attackers wore black uniforms,” he said.
Engr. Omowaiye confirmed that the remains of the two deceased had been deposited at the morgue. “We have seen the X-rays of those who sustained gunshot injuries, and the indications suggest the use of AK-47 rifles. We call on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. We believe the people have rejected Governor Adeleke, and violence will not stop the APC from winning this poll,” he added.
Governor calls for calm, dismisses state involvement
Reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke called for calm and described the attack as a suspected cult-related killing, while strongly dismissing allegations of state government involvement.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said: “We received with concern reports of the suspected cult killing in Osogbo and call on security agencies to enforce the law by apprehending those responsible. The killing and the subsequent violence are condemnable.
“The incidents of cult violence in Osogbo must be curtailed immediately to avoid worsening the already delicate security situation following recent political violence in the state.”
Police confirm arrests
The Osun State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incidents, saying two suspects had been arrested in connection with one of the attacks, while arms and ammunition were recovered at another scene.
“Regarding the incident at Egbatedo, one person was killed, several others were injured and two suspects have been arrested. Some names mentioned by witnesses are already on the police watch list, and investigations are ongoing.
“On the Owode-Igbona incident, no arrest has been made yet, but arms and ammunition were recovered. As of the time I am speaking, I cannot confirm the casualty figure, although several people sustained injuries. Investigation is ongoing.”
