There was resurgence of violence in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Wednesday night, when two persons, who were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were allegedly shot dead by gunmen around Owode-Igbona area of the town.

 

Though there were conflicting reports from sources that the latest killing was as a result of rival cult clashes, some eyewitnesses stated that the gunmen allegedly attacked a mobilisation meeting held for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in Osogbo.

 

The attacks spilled over to Thursday as cars and other properties were vandalised at the popular Idisheke market in Osogbo.

 

One of the sources told journalists that the gunmen stormed the meeting at the Owode-Igbona area of Osogbo, where APC members converged in two clusters for a mobilisation meeting preceding the formal flag-off of AMBO governorship campaign in Ile-Ife.

 

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, wearing black uniforms stormed the meeting in a white bus and attempted to abduct one of the APC youth leaders, identified as Ogunteru, but he escaped and this prompted the gunmen to shoot indiscriminately at people attending the meeting.

 

Two victims, who were allegedly killed included a 70-year old man, identified as Kazeem Akande, and one Lekan, while others who sustained gunshot wounds, included APC flag bearer in the area, Kehinde Salaudeen, 60; Olalekan Mutiu; and a 13-year-old girl, Rodiyat Ariyo.

 

Recounting the incident, an APC youth leader, Mr. Ogundele Awosola(Ogunteru), alleged that the attackers specifically targeted him because he, alongside other members recently decamped from the Accord Party to the APC.

 

He stated, “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 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 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 at the scene, “Ogunteru stated.

 

While reacting to the incident, Governor Ademola Adeleke sued for calm, describing the attack as a suspected cult-related killing, just as he dismissed allegation of state government’s complicity in the incident.

 

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.

 

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun State Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said 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.”

 

Also some chieftains of APC, including 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, subsequently visited the scenes of the incident and hospitals where the victims were receiving treatments.