Osun Police Probe Shooting During Governorship Campaign in Ilesa
By Zagazola Makama
The Osun State Police Command has commenced investigation into a shooting incident during a governorship campaign activity in Ilesa, which left three people injured.
The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on Aug. 8 at Ibala Junction, Ilesa, according to a report received by the police from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of ‘C’ Division, Ilesa.
The command said a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Olufemi Onigbogi, later reported the incident at the police station.
According to the report, the political group was organising its governorship campaign activities within Ilesa metropolis when Hon. Adewale Akerele, a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, allegedly arrived at the location in a black Toyota vehicle with registration number OSHA 04.
He was reportedly accompanied by five personnel of the Amotekun Corps.
The report alleged that shots were fired sporadically at the scene, resulting in injuries to three people.
One of the victims, identified as Tobi Ilesanmi, sustained gunshot wounds to his thighs and was receiving treatment at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa.
Two other persons, Wasiu Alanide and Aderemi Adedeji, reportedly sustained injuries to the hand and leg respectively.
Police personnel who visited the scene recovered four expended cartridges and an Amotekun Corps peak cap, which were taken as exhibits to aid the investigation.
The command said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the shooting.
The incident has raised concerns over the use of firearms during political activities, particularly as the state prepares for its governorship election.
The police are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, establish the identities of those who fired the weapons and determine whether the firearms were lawfully deployed.
The command urged political actors, supporters and security personnel attached to political campaigns to exercise restraint and comply with the law to prevent campaign activities from degenerating into violence.
