A deadly shooting at a motor park in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, has sparked a fierce political blame game between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord Party, with both sides accusing each other of violence and misconduct. The incident, which occurred on Monday, left two people dead — commercial driver Saheed Akinrole, also known as Elena, and a passenger — while another APC member, Sunkanmi Abiodun, was allegedly abducted and tortured before being rescued by police. The APC claims that Accord-linked thugs carried out the attack after returning to Ikire following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s declaration as winner of the governorship election.
The APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, condemned the killings and alleged that the assailants had been harassing opposition members, especially those affiliated with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). According to the party, the suspected thugs took over motor parks in Ikire, abducted Abiodun, and subjected him to torture at one of the parks. When Divisional Police Officer Bamidele Olatona responded to a distress call, the APC says the attackers ambushed the police team, seizing a rifle from an officer and opening fire. This led to a gunfight in which the two civilians lost their lives.
The APC praised DPO Olatona for his efforts to rescue their member and called on the Osun State Police Command to investigate the incident thoroughly, including the alleged theft of the firearm. They urged swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible, emphasizing the need for enhanced security in Ikire to prevent further violence. The party maintains that the actions of Accord supporters were politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of intimidation against APC members.
In response, Accord dismissed the APC’s narrative as false, describing the shooting at Naira and Kobo Garage as “barbaric, unprofessional, and unprovoked.” In a statement signed by its Osun State Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, the party accused DPO Olatona of personally entering the garage and firing on unarmed civilians without provocation. Accord insists there was no crisis or attempt to seize control of the park at the time, asserting that normal operations were ongoing. The party demanded that the Inspector-General of Police, the Osun State Police Command, and the Police Service Commission launch an independent investigation into Olatona’s conduct, calling for his arrest, psychological evaluation, dismissal, and prosecution.
As tensions rise in Ikire, the incident underscores growing insecurity linked to political rivalries in Osun State. With both parties presenting conflicting accounts, public trust in law enforcement is being tested, and calls for transparency and accountability grow louder. The outcome of any official investigation will be closely watched as it may determine whether peace can be restored or if further violence looms.
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