Taofeek Mustapha, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was reportedly shot in the leg on Saturday by suspected political thugs in the Oluode-Aranyin area of Osogbo, Osun State.
According to residents, the attackers arrived in an unmarked brown Toyota Sienna and began firing indiscriminately, forcing people in the area to flee for safety.
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A witness, Sola Hammed, said the sound of gunfire sent residents running, adding that cries for help were heard shortly after the attackers opened fire.
Recounting the incident, Mustapha said he became a target because he was wearing an “AMBO” branded cap associated with the APC governorship candidate. He explained that the gunmen chased him as he attempted to escape before shooting him in the leg.
“I was wearing an AMBO cap when the shooting started. As everyone ran, they singled me out because of the cap. I tried to escape but they shot me in the leg. I cried out for help before they returned to their vehicle and sped away,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said an investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend those responsible.
In a related development, Ojelabi disclosed that two residents of Ilesa who were allegedly abducted by suspected political thugs have been rescued. The victims were reportedly kidnapped by hoodlums believed to be affiliated with the APC.
Political tensions have continued to escalate across Osun State as preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election, with several violent incidents, including reported killings, recorded in different communities.
To strengthen security ahead of the poll, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to conduct a show of force and intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts across the state.
The directive was conveyed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, Adegoke Fayoade, during a stakeholders’ meeting involving INEC officials, political parties, security agencies, religious leaders and media representatives.
Fayoade warned that security agencies would not allow criminals to destabilise the state and urged politicians to stop providing cover or support for individuals involved in violent activities
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