At least one person, on Tuesday, feared dead while some sustained injuries as gunshots rocked parts of Osun State, prompting as Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) exchang accusations over violent attacks.
The violence, which was reported in Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo, sparked panic among residents as gunshots were fired at different locations, forcing many people to flee for safety.
The governor, who visited victims receiving treatment at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, who condemned the attacks, alleged that supporters of Bola Oyebamiji, the APC Governorship candidate, were responsible for the violence.
Addressing journalists before the hospital visit, Governor Adeleke said that reports available to him indicated that the attacks began in the Sabo area of Ile-Ife before spreading to Ede and Osogbo.
”The attacks started at Akoda and continued at Aisu junction where the assailants jumped down and shot sporadically. The attackers in a 15 vehicle convoy branded with AMBO pictures further launched attacks at Owode. They then proceeded to Olaiya, Old Garage, Oke Fia and even around Government House.
”As 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 steps to plunge the state into chaos.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.This attacks must stop. Our people should not be pushed to the wall”, the governor stated.
Describing the attacks as outrageous, unprovoked and a deliberate step to plunge the state into chaos, Governor Adeleke condemned what he termed the roles of Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the APC governorship candidate, in the incidents.
While calling on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to pay special attention to the security situation of the state, he also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call Oyetola and Oyebamiji to order.
However, the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council dismissed the allegations and instead accused supporters of the ruling Accord-PDP alliance of orchestrating attacks against members and supporters of the party.
In a statement signed by Oluremi Omowaiye, the Head of its Media and Publicity Committee, the Council alleged that campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalised by suspected PDP/Accord supporters in the Owode-Ede area on Tuesday, leaving several supporters of the party injured and campaign materials destroyed.
The statement read in parts, “The APC Governorship Campaign Council hereby appeals to the Inspector-General of Police and all relevant security agencies to urgently stem the rising tide of political violence in Osun State.
”We specifically call for the immediate investigation and arrest of those responsible for the destruction of APC campaign buses in Owode Ede and the violence and chaos witnessed across Osogbo today.”
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