A suspected political thug arrested in connection with the violence in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, has alleged that a serving senator of the Accord Party ordered members of his group to leave the town after two people were killed and three policemen were shot.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Sikiru Adedeji, made the allegation during preliminary interrogation following his arrest by the Osun State Police Command.
The violence occurred on Monday when suspected political thugs allegedly attempted to take control of a motor park reportedly dominated by loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The confrontation escalated after the suspects allegedly seized an AK-47 rifle from a police officer who had been called to the scene by members of the motor park.
According to the police, the rifle was subsequently used to shoot at the scene, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to three policemen.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, on Thursday confirmed the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident.
The suspects were identified as Sikiru Adedeji, Olalere Taiwo, 21; Olalere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun.
Zungura said an AK-47 rifle, an axe and expended bullet shells were recovered from the suspects.
The police commissioner said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects confessed to being political thugs operating under a faction allegedly headed by a man identified as Ayewo, whose other name was not disclosed.
He said Ayewo allegedly fired the seized AK-47, hitting the victims.
Zungura added that the police were working to arrest Ayewo and other suspects still at large.
Speaking during interrogation, Sikiru said he had been collecting money at the Naira and Kobo Park in Ikire, while another member of the group collected money at Obada Market as part of their union activities.
He alleged that Ayewo ordered members of the group to bring a man to him after accusing the man of failing to remit money collected from the park.
According to Sikiru, the man was brought to Ayewo by two individuals identified as Scorpion and Lanko and was allegedly attacked with machetes before reporting the incident to the police.
He further alleged that when police officers arrived, members of the group remained at the scene and eventually seized firearms from the officers.
Sikiru claimed that Ayewo then opened fire, leading to the deaths of two people and injuries to some policemen.
The suspect also alleged that a senior figure in the Accord Party later instructed him to tell Ayewo to leave Ikire.
He identified the politician he referred to as his “Oga” as Senator Akogun Lere.
Sikiru also said an axe allegedly used during the incident had been left in his possession by Ayewo.
The police have not publicly confirmed the suspect's allegation linking Senator Lere to the incident.
The command said its investigation was continuing and that efforts were underway to arrest Ayewo and other suspects still at large.
