• Adeleke directs stay-away from secretariats, condoles with victims
  The purportedly reinstated chairman of Irewole Local Government area of Osun State, Mr Remi Abass, was reportedly killed by hoodlums allegedly working for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after taking over the council secretariat in Ikire.

It will be recalled that both parties have been laying claim to control of the third tier of government, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) asserted that the Court of Appeal judgment delivered last week reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councillors. However, the State Government maintained that the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

In the early hours of Monday, Abass led other sacked council officials to reclaim the secretariat in line with the court’s verdict. Reports indicate that they had already entered the secretariat when hoodlums, allegedly working for the PDP, stormed the premises to dislodge them.

An exchange of gunfire reportedly ensued, during which Abass was killed, and several others sustained injuries.

Similarly, no fewer than two persons suffered various degrees of bullet wounds across council areas of the state.

It was further gathered that a yet-to-be-identified resident of the town was also shot dead by the hoodlums.

In Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area, two more persons were reportedly killed by suspected hoodlums who stormed the secretariat.

Some assailants also stormed the highway, firing gunshots sporadically into the air, creating tension in the community and forcing motorists to make detours to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

“The thugs came out from the building opposite the secretariat, wielding guns. They deliberately targeted the council chairman. Many surrounded him, preventing his escape, and then killed him,” a source revealed.

The Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs in the state, Mr Soji Ajeigbe, claimed that two PDP members, Ege and Igara, were killed by armed thugs allegedly working for the APC.

“Apart from those killed, six others were injured while attempting to take over the secretariat. We have deposited the bodies in the morgue, while the injured are receiving treatment at the hospital,” he said.

When contacted, Osun State Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said she would investigate the matter and provide further details.

Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed Osun residents, including politicians across all parties, to stay away from local government secretariats to protect public property and prevent further bloodshed.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke, reacting to the APC’s takeover bid of local governments in Osun, affirmed that since local government workers are on strike, only security agencies should be allowed to man the secretariats.

“I, therefore, direct all law-abiding Osun residents to stay away from the council secretariats, especially as they are expected to remain under lock and key.

“I also condole with the families of the victims of the APC’s illegal takeover bid and the chaos unleashed across the state by the APC and their hired thugs. The PDP lost five members, with several others wounded. Two of those members were from Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government. Another two were killed in Ola-Oluwa Local Government. One more was lost in Ikire. We must stop the bloodshed,” the Governor lamented.

He assured residents of their safety and protection of lives and property, stating that he has directed security agencies to take charge of all local government secretariats.