Adeleke, APC camps trade blame as shootings injure residents in Osun

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council are exchanging accusations following violent clashes that left three people injured across the state. The incidents marred an APC rally in Ile-Ife and later spread to Osogbo.

The trouble began in Ile-Ife during a walk organized by the APC to support their governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Eyewitnesses reported that the rally, led by Representative Abimbola Ajilesoro, encountered violence near the Sabo area. Some accounts suggest the conflict erupted when campaign posters of a particular candidate were torn, escalating into a fight between alleged APC and Accord party hoodlums using dangerous weapons. A trader in Sabo market described the scene: "Motorcycle belonging to one of the hoodlums was seized and damaged. They were firing gunshots and they used machete on each other."

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Motorcycle belonging to one of the hoodlums was seized and damaged. They were firing gunshots and they used machete on each other.

Following the Ile-Ife incident, gunshots were heard in several areas of Osogbo, including Aisu, Owode-Ede, Aregbesola Area, Olaiya, Old Garage, and Oke Fia. Suspected hoodlums reportedly caused panic among residents. An elderly man was injured by a gunshot in Owode-Ede and taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital. Another individual was hit by a bullet while inside a bus in the Aregbesola Area. At the Testing Ground Area, soldiers were present at a business premises owned by an APC member, who accused them of looting and arresting his staff.

Governor Adeleke visited some of the injured victims and condemned the violence, stating, "There were coordinated attacks on residents of Ile Ife, Ede and Osogbo today by pro-Ambo political thugs." The APC, however, blamed the ruling party for orchestrating the mayhem.

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There were coordinated attacks on residents of Ile Ife, Ede and Osogbo today by pro-Ambo political thugs.