The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Anjorin, and an operative of the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, in connection with the shooting that disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
The shooting occurred around 9:30am in the Isokun area of Ilesa as APC members and supporters marched towards the party’s secretariat following an early morning rally.
Three people — Tobi Ilesanmi, Wasiu Alanide and Aderemi Adedeji — sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspected gunmen allegedly led by Anjorin arrived at the area in a vehicle and opened fire around the venue of the political activity.
Ojelabi said some of the suspects were allegedly dressed in Amotekun uniforms.
According to him, members of the public pursued the fleeing suspects and apprehended some of them. He added that one of the suspected Amotekun operatives allegedly brought out a knife and attempted to attack those who caught up with the group before escaping.
The police spokesperson said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), acting on information about the incident, mobilised to the area and sighted a Lexus vehicle with registration number ABJ-89TS.
An individual identified as an Amotekun operative, Odeyemi Abimbiola, was allegedly found inside the vehicle with a pump-action firearm, according to the police.
The vehicle and its occupants were arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for questioning and further investigation.
Ojelabi said preliminary investigation identified one of the occupants as Anjorin, the state Commissioner for Environment.
The Command also acknowledged allegations linking Hon. Wale Akerele to the incident but said the claim was still being investigated.
The police stressed that none of the persons arrested should be presumed guilty until the investigation establishes their involvement.
Four spent cartridges and an Amotekun cap were also recovered at the scene, according to the Command.
The police said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, identify everyone involved, establish the source and ownership of the firearms allegedly used, and determine the level of involvement of each person connected with the incident.
The Command appealed to political parties, candidates, their supporters and members of the public to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
