Adeleke commissioner under arrest – Police EFCC obeys Tinubu’s order, unfreezes state govt accounts
Tension heightened in Osun State on Saturday as the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) traded blame over a sporadic shooting that disrupted an APC campaign rally in Ilesa, leaving at least four people injured.
Among those reportedly hit by bullets were a boy, Adewale Akerele; Tobi Ilesanmi; Wasiu Aramide, said to be an APC member; and a truck driver simply identified as Mohammed.
The incident occurred when APC supporters, who had gathered for an early-morning rally in the Oke-Omiru area of Ilesa, were marching towards Isokun.
The shooting triggered protests by APC members, who demanded the arrest of the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Olawale Akerele, whom they accused of being involved in the incident.
But the ruling Accord Party denied the allegation and accused APC members of attacking its supporters.
The development further heightened political tension in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election against the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, and other contenders.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused the APC of attacking its members.
However, the Director of Media of the AMBO Campaign Organisation, Hon. Remi Omowaye, alleged that hoodlums, allegedly aided by operatives of the Amotekun Corps, unleashed terror on APC supporters during the rally.
Speaking with journalists in Osogbo, Omowaye alleged that the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly was the arrowhead of the attack.
He also claimed that police officers at the scene were helpless while the shooting lasted.
Omowaye said he personally facilitated the evacuation of an injured boy to Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, where the victim was receiving treatment as of the time of the briefing.
Commissioner Arrested
Meanwhile, the Accord Party called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to order the immediate release of the Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with the incident.
Olajengbesi said Adejoorin was arrested on the outskirts of Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo, and urged the police authorities to release him and others allegedly being held in connection with the incident.
However, the Osun State Police Command confirmed Adejoorin’s arrest, saying he was detained as part of investigations into the shooting.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police personnel moved to the scene immediately after the incident was reported, cordoned off the area and recovered exhibits, including expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
He said Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene, cordoned off the area, and recovered some exhibits, including expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
