Police Arrest Osun Commissioner Over Gunfire at APC Rally in Ilesa

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa on Saturday.

The incident reportedly left at least four people injured, including a 14-year-old boy identified as Ilesanmi, who was allegedly struck by a stray bullet.

The shooting occurred during the APC campaign activity in Ilesa, where tension reportedly escalated following an alleged confrontation involving supporters of the party and some members of the Accord Party.

According to an eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, the teenage victim was inside his mother's shop when a bullet hit him in the thigh.

Adeoti alleged that personnel of a security outfit accompanying some Accord chieftains opened fire during the confrontation, resulting in panic and protests among APC supporters in the area.

The injured victims were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical attention. No death had been reported as of the time of filing this report.

Police confirm arrest

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Adejoorin, saying he was taken into custody as part of an investigation into the incident.

The command's spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police officers were deployed to the scene immediately after receiving reports of the shooting.

He said the area was cordoned off and several exhibits were recovered, including expanded cartridges and caps belonging to personnel of the Amotekun security outfit.

According to Ojelabi, Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning.

He said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish the individuals responsible.

Adeleke's camp condemns arrest

Reacting to the development, the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation associated with Governor Ademola Adeleke, condemned the arrest of Adejoorin.

The council's spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the arrest as politically motivated and accused the police of targeting Accord Party leaders in Ijesaland.

Speaking at the Imole Media Centre in Osogbo, Olajengbesi alleged that the arrest was part of a broader attempt to weaken the Accord Party's political structure ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He described Adejoorin as a prominent indigene of Ikiyinwa in Obokun Local Government Area and questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention.

According to Olajengbesi, the campaign council was concerned about what it described as a pattern of arrests involving Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland.

He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene and investigate the circumstances surrounding Adejoorin's arrest as well as what the council described as politically motivated arrests in the state.

The campaign council also demanded answers from the police regarding the allegations against Adejoorin, including the specific offence for which he was arrested and the evidence linking him to the shooting.

Olajengbesi further called for Adejoorin's immediate release, insisting that political leaders should not be subjected to unlawful detention or intimidation during the electoral period.

Investigation ongoing

The police have not indicated that Adejoorin has been charged with any offence, and his arrest remains part of the ongoing investigation into the Ilesa shooting.

The incident comes just days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, heightening concerns among political actors and residents about security and political tensions across the state.

Authorities are expected to continue investigating the shooting, including the circumstances that led to the violence and the identities of those responsible.