…We were targeted after dumping Accord for APC – Ex-council boss
By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo
Two persons reportedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were killed, while six others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries after suspected gunmen attacked a political mobilisation meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday night.
The attack occurred at the Owode-Igbona area of Osogbo, where APC members had gathered in preparation for the formal launch of the party’s governorship campaign for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants, dressed in black police-like uniforms, arrived in a white bus and attempted to abduct an APC youth leader, Mr Ogundele Awosola, popularly known as Ogunteru. The attempt reportedly failed after he resisted and escaped, prompting the attackers to open fire indiscriminately on those present.
Following the incident, top APC leaders, including the Media Head of the Governorship Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Adebayo Adeleke; and Senior Special Assistant to the President, Ambassador Issah Niniola, visited the scene and later met with injured victims receiving treatment in hospital.
Speaking with journalists, Awosola alleged that the attackers targeted him because he and several others recently defected from the Accord Party to the APC.
“Yesterday night, we were having a meeting with my people. We were formerly in the Accord Party but recently joined the APC. When we saw a white bus and another vehicle, we thought they were policemen, so we did not run.
“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 contacted the police. When they arrived, we discovered that several of our members had been shot. The police also recovered a Beretta pistol at the scene. These people have been monitoring us since we joined the APC,” he alleged.
Awosola further claimed that some of the suspected attackers had recently been released from prison.
The deceased were identified as 70-year-old Kazeem Akande and one Lekan, both of whom reportedly died from gunshot wounds. Among those injured were Kehinde Salaudeen, 60, Olalekan Mutiu and a 13-year-old girl, Rodiyat Ariyo.
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 arrived.
“My brother, Awosola, invited me to the meeting. I had just left when the attack happened. I am demanding justice for those who lost their lives,” he said.
Ambassador Niniola condemned the incident, alleging that it was politically motivated.
“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.
Similarly, former commissioner Adebayo Adeleke described the attack as premeditated and called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene.
“The security situation in Osun is becoming alarming. One of the concerns we raised earlier was the alleged use of police uniforms by some Amotekun operatives to perpetrate crimes, but nothing has been done. Survivors said the attackers wore black uniforms,” he stated.
Omowaiye confirmed that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at a morgue and called on security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
“We have seen X-rays of those injured, and preliminary indications suggest the use of AK-47 rifles. Violence will not stop the APC from winning this election,” he said.
Reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke urged residents to remain calm, describing the attack as a suspected cult-related incident and rejecting allegations linking his administration to the violence.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor condemned the killings and called on security agencies to apprehend those responsible.
“We received with concern reports of the suspected cult-related killings in Osogbo and urge security agencies to enforce the law by bringing the perpetrators to justice. The killings and subsequent violence are condemnable.
“The incidents of cult violence in Osogbo must be curtailed immediately to prevent a further deterioration of the security situation,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command confirmed the incidents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said two suspects had been arrested in connection with one of the attacks, while arms and ammunition were recovered from another scene.
“Regarding the incident at Egbatedo, one person was killed, several others were injured and two suspects have been arrested. Some of the 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 at the scene. As of now, I cannot confirm the casualty figure, although several persons sustained injuries. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.
The incidents have heightened political tensions in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with both the APC and the state government trading accusations over the worsening security situation.