Death toll mounts as another Osun resident shot dead

A resident of Esa Oke in Osun State, Dele Ayegbo, was reportedly shot dead by assailants travelling in a black Sports Utility Vehicle late on Wednesday. Sources in Esa Oke described Ayegbo as a nephew of the Director-General of the Osun All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, leading to insinuations that the killing had a political undertone.

One source said Ayegbo was killed close to his house in the Idofin quarters of Esa Oke. Two other persons were also shot and hospitalized during the attack. A media adviser to Oluwole Oke stated that the deceased was shot dead by assailants who fled the scene shortly after. "He was shot by a moving black Jeep while he was in his car. It was a move to weaken Hon Oluwole Oke, especially in his stronghold. This is heinous, and the security agencies will need to unearth this," the adviser said.

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He was shot by a moving black Jeep while he was in his car. It was a move to weaken Hon Oluwole Oke, especially in his stronghold. This is heinous, and the security agencies will need to unearth this.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer could not be immediately reached for comment. However, the Osun APC, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, accused hoodlums working for the Accord Party of perpetrating the crime. Olabisi stated that Ayegbo was gunned down at a road junction near his house by Accord Party thugs riding in a car. Two other APC members were reportedly shot during the incident.

The Osun APC claimed that the spate of killings related to Governor Adeleke's re-election bid is unprecedented in the state's political history. The party alleged that Ijesaland has witnessed the highest percentage of political killings orchestrated by the incumbent government. The party urged the state police command to act decisively, stating that the killing was intended to scare voters from exercising their civic responsibility during the governorship poll.

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Ayegbo was gunned down at the road junction close to his house at the Idofin quarters area of the ancient town by the Accord Party hoodlums who were riding in a car.