Police probe alleged gunfire, recover four cartridges

The Osun State Police Command has commenced investigation into a shooting incident during a political party procession in Ilesa, with four expanded cartridges and an Amotekun cap recovered at the scene.

The incident left three persons — Tobi Ilesanmi, Wasiu Alanide and Aderemi Adedeji — with gunshot injuries. The Police said the victims were evacuated to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), had said that the incident happened during their ward-to-ward campaign in Ilesa, with the party alleging that the shooting started after the vehicle of Hon. Wale Akerele, the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, drove past the procession and later returned with Amotekun personnel, who allegedly fired at the crowd, causing panic and a stampede.

In a statement by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command’s spokesperson, the Police said the incident occurred when some suspected armed men alighted from a vehicle with registration number OSHA 04 and allegedly “fired sporadically in the vicinity of the ongoing political procession.”

Ojelabi said preliminary investigation identified one of the occupants as Mayowa Anjorin, Commissioner for Environment, Osun State, while the Amotekun personnel was identified as Odeyemi Abimbiola, which were later taken to Police custody.

According to the Police, “upon receipt of the information, operatives of the FID-IRT swiftly mobilised to the area. During the operation, a Lexus vehicle with registration number ABJ-89TS was sighted. An individual identified as an Amotekun personnel and found in possession of a pump-action firearm was reportedly inside the vehicle. The vehicle and its occupants were subsequently taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for questioning and further investigation. as Amotekun.”

The Command also said it was aware of allegations and claims linking certain individuals, including Hon. Wale Akerele, to the incident, stressing that “these are presently allegations under investigation, and no individual should be presumed guilty until the investigation establishes otherwise.”

The Police said the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify all persons involved, determine the source and ownership of the firearms allegedly used and ascertain the respective levels of involvement of all persons connected to the incident.

It assured members of the public that the investigation would be conducted “professionally, transparently and without political bias,” adding that anyone found culpable would be made to face the full weight of the law.

The Command further urged political actors, their supporters and members of the public to remain calm, refrain from taking the law into their own hands, and avoid spreading unverified information capable of escalating tension.

It reiterated its commitment to providing a peaceful and secure environment before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election.