Osun violence: Two killed, six injured as thugs attack APC members

By Shina Abubakar

Two persons were reportedly killed following violent attack on members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by some political thugs in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

The attack took place at Owode-Igbonna area of the state capital late at night on Wednesday by thugs who used face masks to hide their identity.

It was gathered that the victims were holding meetings when the attackers arrived at the venue in a white-coloured Toyota Hiace bus, dressed in black uniforms.

A resident in the area, Rasheed Abiola, disclosed that the attackers arrived in the area around 8 pm and started shooting in different directions, and everyone ran for safety in different directions.

Victims of the attack were identified as Kazeem Akande, 70, and Lekan, who was killed at a separate scene in the Egbatedo area of Osogbo; both died from gunshot wounds. Others injured included a female APC flag bearer in Owode area, Kehinde Salaudeen, 60; Olalekan Mutiu; and a 13-year-old girl, Rodiyat Ariyo, among others.

Lekan’s body has been deposited at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital Osogbo while the body of Kazeem was at the Osogbo Central Hospital and was released to his family when Vanguard visited the hospital.

Five injured victims were receiving treatment at Osogbo Central Hospital, while the 13-year-old girl is being treated at a different hospital.

One of the lucky victims, Oyedele Awosola, popularly called Ogunteru, claimed that one of the attackers, Taoreed, known as “small rugged”, pinned him to his car and pointed gun to his head, ordering him to step out of the car.

“Yesterday night, we were having a meeting with my people. We were in Accord Party before but joined APC recently. We saw a white bus and another vehicle and thought they were policemen, so we did not run.

“But one of them, whom I know as Taoreed, “small Rugged”, who was just released from prison, 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 into the compounds and he shot at me while I ran away.

“I later called the police, and when they arrived, we discovered that many of our members had been shot. The police also recovered a new Beretta pistol that fell from Rugged while he was chasing me. We later found out that these people have been monitoring the area since we joined the APC,” he said.

A Senior Special Assistant to the President on Protocol, Ambassador Issa Niniola, condemned the attack and alleged that the violence was politically motivated, saying “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.”

Also speaking, former commissioner Adebayo Adeleke alleged that some of the perpetrators were operating from the Government House and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene urgently.

He said, “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.

Also, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye confirmed that the remains of the two deceased members 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 said.

Reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke called for calm, describing the attack as a suspected cult-related killing and dismissing allegations that the state government had any 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.”

Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command, through its Police 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.

He said, “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.”

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