Tension gripped Ilesa, Osun State, on Tuesday morning after suspected political thugs attacked supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving two people dead and two others critically injured.
The incident reportedly occurred around 7:30am at the Igbogi area of Ilesa, where APC supporters had gathered ahead of the party’s final campaign rally scheduled for 8am.
Witnesses said the suspected attackers stormed the gathering and opened fire on the supporters before fleeing the scene.
A resident identified as Sola said party members were preparing to move to the rally venue when the incident occurred.
“We were preparing for our final rally today, and our leaders said we should converge at Igbogi for take-off, which is scheduled for 8am,” he said.
“At 7:30am, the thugs stormed the venue and were shooting sporadically.”
Sola initially claimed that four people had been killed, but the APC Campaign Council later confirmed that two supporters died while two others sustained critical injuries.
The resident attributed the attack to the growing political tension in the area, noting that it occurred days after an alleged incident involving personnel of the Amotekun Corps.
APC Confirms Deaths
The Media Head of the APC Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaiye, confirmed that four party supporters were affected in the attack.
He said two of the victims died, while the other two were receiving treatment for serious injuries.
“Four of our supporters were shot, two of them are dead while two others are in critical condition,” Omowaiye said.
He added that the APC woman leader in Ilesa was among those injured and had been taken to Wesley Guild Hospital for treatment.
