Suspected assassins kill APC chairman in Osun

Govt, others condemn assassination, urge probe

Some men, suspected to be hired assassins, yesterday killed the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Atakunmosa East-Central Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Osun State, Chief Gbenga Ogbara.

It was gathered that Ogbara was shot inside his sitting room in Igangan, his home-town, at about midnight on Sunday and the body was said to have been deposited at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa.

It was also learnt that the deceased’s wife, Mrs. Ruth Kehinde Ogbara, and his child, Isaac Aregbesola Ogbara, were wounded by the night marauders during the attack.

They were said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Ilesa for treatment. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident and said a team had launched manhunt for the fleeing suspects. She said investigation was ongoing and promised that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.
Meanwhile, mourners, especially members of the ruling party, yesterday stormed the residence of Ogbara to sympathise with his family.

The state government and chairman of the party, Gboyega Famodun, condemned the assassination. The state government’s condemnation and condolences were contained in a statement issued by Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

It also sympathised with the family of the late APC chairman, assuring them that government has charged security operatives to fish out the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.

The statement revealed that government also counselled residents and citizens not to take the laws into their hands, as security operatives have been mandated to beef up security around the area.

Also, according to a statement by his spokesman, Kola Olabisi, Famodun stated that the assassination of Ogbara was wicked, callous, uncalled for, shocking and primitive.

He said for whatever reason, it was grossly improper to settle any rift with killing. He, therefore, enjoined the Osun State Police Command to move with a speed of thunder in unraveling whatever or whoever might be responsible for the dastardly killing of the APC LCDA chairman.

Famodun said only thorough investigation of the incident by the police would assuage the pain of the family of the deceased and his political allies.