Daud Olatunji
The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
The incident reportedly left four people injured, including a 14-year-old boy, as sporadic gunshots sent residents and political supporters scrambling for safety.
The police said Adejoorin was arrested as part of an investigation into the incident, while the Imole Campaign Council, the political campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, condemned the arrest and accused the police of politically targeting leaders of the Accord Party.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed Adejoorin’s arrest, saying the commissioner was taken into custody for questioning in connection with the shooting.
According to the police account, the incident occurred during an APC rally in parts of Ilesa when a vehicle with registration number OSHA04 was reportedly parked close to the gathering.
Ojelabi said persons identified as personnel of the state security outfit, Amotekun, allegedly emerged from the vehicle and fired shots, causing people at the rally to flee.
He added that APC supporters reportedly chased the fleeing men, while one of those intercepted allegedly pulled out a knife before escaping.
The police said tactical teams were subsequently deployed to different locations in the area following a report of the incident.
The Command also said officers recovered exhibits, including spent cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps, as part of the investigation.
The shooting reportedly resulted in injuries to at least four persons.
One of the victims, identified as 14-year-old Ilesanmi, was reportedly hit in the thigh by a stray bullet while he was at his mother’s shop.
An eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, said the boy was not involved in the political gathering when he was struck.
The injured victims were reportedly taken to a hospital for treatment. No death had been reported as of the time of filing this report.
The circumstances surrounding who fired the shots and the identities of those responsible remain subjects of police investigation.
Reacting to the arrest, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the development as disturbing and accused the police of using their powers against Accord leaders in Ijesaland.
Olajengbesi alleged that the arrest of Adejoorin was part of a wider pattern of arrests targeted at prominent Accord members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, to intervene and investigate what the campaign council described as politically motivated arrests.
Olajengbesi said the council was particularly concerned about the circumstances surrounding Adejoorin’s arrest and demanded answers from the police.
He asked why the commissioner was arrested, what offence he was suspected of committing and what evidence the police had against him.
The campaign council further alleged that the arrests were intended to weaken the Accord Party’s political structure in Ijesaland ahead of the election.
It demanded Adejoorin’s immediate release, insisting that there was no lawful basis for his detention.
Police investigation continues
The competing accounts have heightened political tension in Ilesa as the state approaches the August 15 governorship election.
While the Adeleke camp has described the arrest as politically motivated, the police have maintained that Adejoorin’s detention is connected to an ongoing investigation into the shooting.
The Command is expected to establish the identities of those involved, determine the source of the gunfire and ascertain the circumstances that led to the injuries.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the conduct of political rallies and the need for security agencies to prevent violence while protecting the rights of political parties and their supporters.
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