Violence in Osun: Adeleke and APC Blame Each Other as Three Injured

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council have been trading blame over violence that broke out in the state, injuring about three people.

Reports say the trouble started in Ile-Ife during a walk organized by the APC to rally support for its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.

The walk began around 9 a.m. at Mayfair area of Ile-Ife. It was led by Abimbola Ajilesoro, who represents the Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North/Ife South Federal Constituency. The situation escalated into violence at the Sabo area.

Witnesses claim the violence erupted when some people tore down campaign posters of a governorship candidate that were on display along the roadside in Sabo, Ile-Ife.

Eyewitnesses, who did not want to be named, reported that dangerous weapons were used in the clashes involving suspected political thugs. A trader in Sabo market, named Usira, said a motorcycle belonging to one of the groups was destroyed.

"The crisis started when some hoodlums tore campaign posters of a particular governorship candidate during the victory walk organized by the APC that reached the Sabo area.

"Hoodlums working for both the APC and Accord were involved in the fight. A motorcycle belonging to one of the hoodlums was seized and damaged. They were firing gunshots and using machetes on each other," he said.

After the incident in Ile-Ife, gunshots were reported in several areas of Osogbo, including Aisu, Owode-Ede, Aregbesola area, Olaiya, Old Garage, and Oke Fia. This caused panic among residents.

In Owode-Ede, an elderly man, whose name has not been confirmed, was injured and taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo. In Aregbesola area, a commercial bus driver was also hit by a bullet and taken to an undisclosed hospital.

At Testing Ground, security personnel were seen at a business owned by an APC member, Lawrence Dada. He claimed that soldiers looted his property and arrested two of his staff.

Governor Adeleke visited the victims at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital in Osogbo and the State Hospital in Ede. He described the incidents as coordinated attacks.

He said, "There were coordinated attacks on residents of Ile Ife, Ede and Osogbo today by pro-Ambo political thugs.

"After the dastardly acts that occurred at Ile Ife, the attackers proceeded to Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo.

"The attackers in a 15-vehicle convoy branded with AMBO pictures paraded the towns without any response from the police.

"At the time of calling this press conference, several residents were feared injured and even one or two people killed.

"The attackers are led by thugs known as Aleba and Asiri. Worst still, the state police command has not raised a finger to stop the attacks or arrest the attackers. These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked and a deliberate step to plunge the state into chaos.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

"The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks."

In response, the Osun APC Campaign Council accused its supporters of being attacked by political thugs loyal to the governor. In a statement signed by Remi Omowaiye, the Head of Media and Publicity Committee of the campaign council, they also claimed that campaign vehicles were vandalized in Owode-Ede.

The statement said, "The attack left several AMBO supporters severely injured while valuable campaign materials and property were destroyed.

"Such brazen acts of violence have no place in a democratic society and should worry every well-meaning citizen of Osun State.

"Why should the electoral preference of a citizen become a criminal offence? Why should a governor, either directly or through body language, encourage supporters and kinsmen to attack fellow citizens simply because they hold different political opinions?

"The Governor Adeleke-branded buses were reportedly seen conveying questionable characters brandishing dangerous weapons and firing gunshots.

"Many innocent citizens have reportedly suffered injuries in the crossfire while law-abiding residents continue to live in fear as PDP/Accord-linked criminals turn parts of Osogbo into theatres of violence."

The campaign council expressed sympathy to the residents affected by the violence and called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to act quickly.

The Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Oluwaseun Abosede, also blamed the violence on suspected APC supporters. He said, "These armed men stopped at the Oranmiyan House, Aregbe Junction, which serves as the Osun ADC Campaign Headquarters, where they allegedly fired several shots before proceeding to the NURTW park opposite the building and shooting indiscriminately at vehicles and individuals in the vicinity.

"The hoodlums subsequently moved through Owode Ede, Olaiya Junction, Old Garage, and other strategic locations within Osogbo, unleashing a reign of terror in broad daylight, leaving trails of agony and blood without any visible intervention from security agencies."

In reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said an investigation has started.

"We are aware of the incidents. We have already commenced investigation," he said.