At least three people were injured during a shooting at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa, Osun State, on Saturday, with the APC and Accord Party trading allegations over who was responsible for the violence.
One of those injured was identified as 14-year-old Tobi Ilesanmi, who was reportedly shot around the Isokun area of Ilesa, where the incident occurred.
The shooting also led to the arrest of Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, who was reportedly passing through the area when police officers responding to the incident intercepted his vehicle.
The Osun State Police Command said three people were injured during the incident.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi alleged that operatives of the Amotekun Corps were involved in the shooting and were travelling in a vehicle with an official Osun State Government number plate.
According to him, the APC rally was underway when participants noticed a vehicle parked near the gathering.
He said individuals identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged from the vehicle and fired shots, causing people at the rally to flee.
Ojelabi added that some people chased the operatives, with one of those pursued allegedly drawing a knife and attempting to attack those who approached him before escaping.
The police spokesperson said tactical officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) responded after receiving a distress call about the shooting.
According to Ojelabi, officers travelling to the scene intercepted a white Lexus 350 that was approaching the area.
The police said an Amotekun operative and another person were found inside the vehicle and were taken to the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo for questioning.
The second occupant was identified as Commissioner Mayowa Adejoorin.
Ojelabi said the arrest was necessary to determine the commissioner’s level of involvement in the incident.
He added that investigators recovered four expended cartridges from the scene and a pump-action firearm from the Amotekun operative.
The police said the investigation remains ongoing.
The Head of the APC Campaign Council for Ilesa West, Folarin Fafowora, said the rally was nearing its conclusion when the shooting occurred.
Fafowora said a vehicle overtook the procession and that the occupant was identified as the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele.
He said a gunshot was heard shortly afterwards, triggering panic among participants.
According to Fafowora, people began running for safety as the situation escalated around the Isokun area.
He alleged that individuals emerged from a vehicle and began shooting, forcing him and others to seek cover.
Efforts to contact Akerele for his response to the allegations were unsuccessful, while a message sent to him had not received a response at the time the report was filed.
The Accord Party also accused APC members of involvement in the violence.
The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that APC members were responsible for the shooting and claimed that properties belonging to Accord supporters were damaged during the incident.
Olajengbesi also alleged that the Accord Party secretariat was attacked.
The allegations by both political camps have yet to be independently established.
The incident has heightened concerns over political violence in Osun State as political activities intensify ahead of the state’s election.
The police have begun investigating the shooting, including the identities and roles of those involved.
With three people injured and firearms reportedly recovered from the scene, authorities are expected to establish what triggered the violence and whether any political actors or security personnel were directly involved.
The competing allegations from the APC and Accord Party underscore the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine what happened during the Ilesa rally.
