Suspected gunmen on Wednesday night attacked the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area, Hon. Asimiyu Ajibola, popularly known as Baba Isila, leaving him with gunshot injuries.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 9:50 p.m. at the Osogbo Community Bank axis of the MDS area in Osogbo, caused panic among residents as the assailants allegedly opened fire on a blue Toyota Corolla conveying the party chieftain and his associates.
Ajibola was said to have narrowly escaped death during the attack but sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.
A survivor of the attack said the victims were returning from the MDS area when armed men suddenly pursued their vehicle and fired multiple gunshots at them.
According to the victim, they managed to escape the attack by driving to the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters in Osogbo, where they sought protection. The assailants reportedly fled the scene after the victims reached the police station.
The witness added that the incident was immediately reported to the police, while the injured party chairman was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
The victim said, “We were coming from the MDS area,Osogbo last night at about 9:50 pm and all of a sudden, the gun wielding men chased and released volley of bullets on all of us in the car.
“However, we managed to escape to the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters in Osogbo where we ran for protection before the assailants retreated and ran away.
“We equally reported the matter to the police. After reporting the matter, we rushed the seriously wounded Hon. Asimiyu Ajibola to Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where he is currently receiving medical attention”, one of the victims narrated.”
Reacting to the development, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, condemned the attack and called on security agencies to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
Alimi described the incident as unfortunate and urged the police to conduct a thorough and professional investigation into the matter.
The commissioner stressed that the perpetrators must be brought to justice, noting that preliminary indications suggest the attack may have political undertones.
He said, According to Alimi,” it is an unfortunate incident which should not be allowed to go uninvestigated. The culprits must be brought to book.
“We are therefore calling on the police to carry out their investigation, professionally, without fear or favour in unearthing the masterminds of the attack, which from all available indices,has elements of political colorations”.