Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused political thugs allegedly loyal to the AMBO political movement of carrying out coordinated attacks in parts of Osun State, claiming that several residents were injured and some feared killed in incidents that rocked Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo on Saturday.
Addressing an emergency press briefing at the Government House in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as deliberate attempts to destabilise the state and plunge it into chaos.
According to the governor, the violence began in Ile-Ife before spreading to several communities, including Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage and Okefia in Osogbo. He alleged that the attackers moved through the affected areas in a convoy of about 15 vehicles branded with AMBO campaign materials.
“As at the time of calling this press conference, several residents were feared injured and even one or two people killed. The attackers are led by thugs known as Aleba and Asiri,” Adeleke said.
The governor further alleged that security operatives failed to respond adequately to the incidents despite the movement of the convoy through major parts of the state.
“Worst still, the state police command has not raised a finger to stop the attacks or arrest the attackers. These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked and a deliberate step to plunge the state into chaos,” he stated.
Adeleke directly blamed the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, for what he described as escalating political provocations in the state.
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the destabilising roles of Marine Minister, Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The provocation is getting to an unbearable level. For the past few months, I have been calming my people to maintain peace despite persistent attacks,” the governor said.
He also linked the latest incidents to a series of previous violent attacks in the state, citing the killing of an Accord Party youth leader in Ikire and the shooting of the party’s chairman in Osogbo.
“Just a month or so ago, a youth leader of Accord was killed at Ikire. A few days ago, the Osogbo chairman of Accord was shot at Osogbo. These attacks must stop. Our people should not be pushed to the wall,” he added.
The governor called on top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), to pay urgent attention to the security situation in Osun State.
“I call on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and other top security officials to shine a special light on Osun State. I appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Mr Oyetola and Oyebamiji to order,” Adeleke said.
Following the briefing, the governor embarked on visits to some of the reported flashpoints and later proceeded to the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he met with victims receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attacks.
During the hospital visit, Adeleke interacted with injured residents, their families and medical personnel, assuring them of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. He also paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area, who was reportedly attacked by suspected assailants last week.
