Two feared dead as violence erupts at APC ward congress in Ondo
The All Progressives Congress ward congress in Ondo State was marred by violence on Wednesday, with clashes and sporadic gunshots reportedly leaving at least two people dead and several others
The All Progressives Congress ward congress in Ondo State was marred by violence on Wednesday, with clashes and sporadic gunshots reportedly leaving at least two people dead and several others injured.
The exercise, organised to elect ward executives across the state’s 203 wards, was disrupted in Idanre Local Government Area by suspected political thugs allegedly linked to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state.
Two persons were reportedly killed during the unrest, while Mr. Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of the party’s state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin sustained severe injuries during the attack and is currently in a coma at a private hospital.
According to reports, the armed group arrived in about six vehicles and stormed the congress venue near the party’s local government secretariat, dispersing party members and officials supervising the exercise.
Eyewitnesses said tensions escalated following disputes between rival factions over delegates’ lists and ward executive positions. The disagreement reportedly degenerated into physical altercations before gunshots were fired.
The violence was said to be more pronounced in some wards on the outskirts of the state capital, particularly in Iju/Ita Ogbolu, Akure North Local Government Area, where skirmishes and disruptions reportedly stalled the exercise for several hours.
It was learnt that security operatives, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Lawal Adebowale, and the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oluyemi Ibiloye, personally led a combined tactical team to restore order, peace, and disperse the attackers.
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However, Engr Adetimehin condemned the disruption of the ward congress, saying the thugs, who initially targeted him, aimed at his younger brother and shot at him.
"It is true that my younger brother was attacked. The thugs targeted me, but they failed and aimed for my younger brother, Raphael. They macheted him in the head when they realised that gunshots could not penetrate his body.
"Is a sad development, and you can see how thugs working under instructions disrupted everyone and the ward congress in the local government. As I speak with you now, he (Raphael) is now in a coma in the hospital," he said.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the state police command, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed that five persons were attacked and sustained various degrees of injuries while a car was set ablaze during the violent attack.
Abayomi further disclosed that two of the victims are dead and their corpses deposited at the hospital's morgue.
"During the incident, five persons yet to be identified were reportedly attacked, and a vehicle was set ablaze.
"Three victims sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital.
"The Commissioner of Police visited the injured victims to assess their condition and assured them of the Command’s support," he said.
He noted that the investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.
Reacting to the incident, some party leaders and elders condemned the violence, describing it as unfortunate and capable of undermining the credibility of the internal democratic process.
The leaders, under the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately order an investigation into the violent attacks.
