Friday, March 29, 2024

Disquiet as suspected political thugs open fire on Osun Speaker, others

BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO

There was anxiety in Osun State on Wednesday as the Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, escaped a suspected assassination after some gunmen opened fire on his private residence.

A statement made available to The Point by Owoeye’s media aide, Kunle Alabi, disclosed that the gunmen were people suspected to be political thugs.

Alabi said it took the gallantry of the men of Department of State Services and Police officers attached to the office of the Speaker to repel the assailants who arrived at the premises of the Speaker at around 2:00am shooting sporadically at the building.

The statement noted that the Speaker and Ijesa South All Progressives Congress stakeholders during a press conference in Ilesa, said the attack was also extended to businesses of lawmaker representing Ilesa West State constituency, Wale Adedoyin and Folarin Fafowora, the immediate past Chairman of Ilesa West Central LCDA.

Owoeye stressed that about five members of the APC had been killed in gruesome manner across Eti Oni in Atakumosa East, Oke Aga and Ilesa, notable among the dead is the immediate past Secretary of Atakumosa East LCDA.

The statement quoted Owoeye as saying that, “In the early hours of today (Wednesday) 22nd February, an assassination attempt was made on my life. If not for divine providence, the story would have been different. I want to salute the security men who stood their ground to prevent my assailants from carrying out their aim.

“Recall that last week, I released a statement about the killing of Ebenezer Alaro, a member of our party whose only crime was to drive a Capstar Truck used to convey the public address system we used for our rally from Monday through Thursday. The guy was trailed home after the Thursday rally and was killed in front of his parents’ house.

“I was also informed this morning that the electrification projects which I have spent over N15 million on in Oke Aga have been destroyed and riddled with bullets. I sympathize with the community who will be thrown into darkness because of this senseless politics.

“The recent events in Osun are becoming worrisome and need proper attention from every well-meaning citizen. The return of political thuggery after about 12 years of the All Progressive Congress administration in the state now gives residents and citizens sleepless nights.

“It will not be wrong to say that the change of baton in the government in the state has actually encouraged the return of that dark era when citizens cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.

“I therefore call on the police to investigate the assassination attempt on my life, the gruesome murder of Alaro and others with a view to ensuring that those involved are brought to justice.

“I want to believe that such heinous crime, if not quickly investigated and perpetrators docked, could aggravate an already tense situation that will lead to breakdown of law and order in the state, before and during the forthcoming election.

“The Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies must be seen to be alive to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties. A quick investigation into the attempted murder, and other hooliganism will serve as a deterrent to people who are hell-bent on disrupting the peace of our society.”

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