Gunfire Erupts in Osun State Amid Political Tensions
A violent outbreak in Osun State on Tuesday resulted in at least one fatality and multiple injuries, igniting a political blame game between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The chaos unfolded in several locations, including Ile-Ife, Ede, and Osogbo, as residents sought safety amid sporadic gunfire.
Details of the Attacks Reported
Residents reported gunshots across different neighborhoods, creating widespread panic. Governor Adeleke, who later visited victims receiving treatment at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, condemned the violence. He attributed the incident to supporters of Bola Oyebamiji, the APC’s governorship candidate.
Eyewitness Accounts and Analysis
According to Governor Adeleke, the violent episodes began in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife and then spread to Ede and Osogbo. Witnesses noted that the initial assault took place at Akoda and escalated to Aishu Junction, where assailants armed with automatic weapons descended from a convoy of 15 vehicles featuring AMBO branding. The attackers continued their rampage in various locations, targeting Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, and Oke Fear, eventually reaching the vicinity of the Government House.
Casualties and Emergency Response
At the time of the press briefing, several individuals had sustained injuries, with one or two fatalities feared. Governor Adeleke described the armed groups involved as thugs named Areba and Asiri. He criticized the State Police Command for their inaction during the violent outbreaks.
Governor’s Call for Action
Labeling the attacks “outrageous and unprovoked,” Governor Adeleke urged immediate action from high-ranking security officials, including the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police. He specifically called on President Bola Tinubu to address the issue with APC leaders, claiming the provocations have reached an intolerable level.
APC’s Defense and Counterclaims
The Osun APC Governorship Election Council quickly refuted the governor’s accusations, claiming that the supporters of the ruling Accord-PDP coalition were behind the violence. In an official statement, they alleged that a campaign vehicle belonging to the APC was vandalized by suspected PDP/Accord supporters in the Owode-Ede area, resulting in injuries to several party members and damaged campaign materials.
Appeal for Security Measures
The statement from the APC Governorship Election Council emphasized the need for urgent intervention from the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to mitigate the rising tide of political violence in Osun State. They called for a thorough investigation into the attacks on their campaign bus and the overall unrest affecting the region.
