Osun: ‘Accord thugs’ shoot APC member; ‘APC thugs’ kidnap two
Taofeek Mustapha Shot Amid Political Tensions in Osun State
By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Taofeek Mustapha, was reportedly shot on Saturday by suspected political thugs in Osun State.
In a separate incident, two individuals were kidnapped in Ilesa by assailants believed to be associated with the APC.
Sola Hammed, a resident of the Oluode-Aranyin area, recounted the frightening moments when the assailants arrived in an unmarked vehicle and began firing into the air.
“We all scampered for safety to avoid stray bullets, then we suddenly heard someone crying for help. But we didn’t look back at that moment,” Hammed said.
Mustapha described how he was fleeing for his life when he was shot in the leg. “I was wearing an AMBO-crested cap when the shooting occurred. Everyone ran for safety, and they pursued me because of the cap. When I was shot, I cried for help, and then the attackers retreated to their vehicle and drove away,” he stated. He also claimed the assailants displayed the insignia of the Accord Party during the incident.
Police Confirm Shooting and Rescue of Kidnapping Victims
The Osun State Police Command confirmed the shooting incident and announced that an investigation is underway. The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, also reported that the two individuals abducted in Ilesa have since been rescued.
Political violence in the region has escalated in the lead-up to the gubernatorial election scheduled for August 15. Reports of killings and other violent acts have emerged from various parts of the state.
In response to growing concerns, Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu has instructed Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan to enhance law enforcement efforts, including raids on suspected criminal hideouts, to curb violence ahead of the election. Disu conveyed this message during a stakeholder meeting with representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, security agencies, and community leaders.
He urged politicians to refrain from harboring individuals engaged in criminal activities and emphasized that law enforcement would not permit criminals to disrupt public safety in the state.
