There was panic in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday night after suspected gunmen attacked the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area, Hon. Asimiyu Ajibola (popularly known as Baba Isila), leaving him critically injured.
The incident, which occurred around 9:50pm along the MDS axis near Osogbo Community Bank, threw residents into confusion as the armed men reportedly trailed the victim and his companions before opening fire on their vehicle.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers, said to be riding on a motorcycle, blocked and repeatedly shot at a blue Toyota Corolla conveying the party chairman and others.
A co-occupant in the vehicle, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants chased them before unleashing a volley of bullets.
“We were coming from the MDS area around 9:50pm when the gunmen suddenly chased us and started shooting at our car. We managed to escape and ran to Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters for safety before the attackers fled,” he said.
He added that the injured chairman was immediately rushed to the Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he is currently receiving treatment.
Medical sources at the hospital confirmed that Ajibola is in a critical but stable condition and is responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the attack, describing it as a suspected attempted murder.
Police spokespersons confirmed that tactical and conventional units were deployed to the scene shortly after the incident was reported, while forensic experts have begun analysis of exhibits recovered from the scene.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has ordered a full-scale investigation and directed operatives to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
He assured residents that the command is committed to ensuring that those behind the attack are brought to justice.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, condemned the incident, calling on security agencies to carry out a thorough and unbiased investigation.
Alimi urged the police to uncover the masterminds behind the attack, noting that preliminary indications suggest possible political undertones.
He appealed for calm among residents, assuring that government would continue to support security agencies in maintaining peace and order in the state.
The police have also urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist ongoing investigations as efforts intensify to apprehend the suspects.
