Two dead, 3 injured as Ondo APC ward congress turns violent

By Muftau Ogunyemi

The violence that has characterized the Ward Congress of All Progressives Congress in Ondo continue on Wednesday with the death of two persons while three others were injured during the exercise in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesperson for Ondo Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, who confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Akure, said no arrest has been made about the incident.

However, the Ondo Police Command spokesperson explained that tactical teams had been deployed to secure the area to protect lives and property and forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

According to him, the command received a distress call from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Idanre regarding violent acts perpetrated by a group of individuals within the state on Feb. 18 at about 1105hrs.

He said the report necessitated prompt response from officers of the command.

“In a swift reaction, the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, immediately deployed tactical teams to reinforce the existing security apparatus on ground.

“Subsequently, Lawal, alongside the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), CC Oluyemi Ibiloye, led a combined team of security operatives to the scene.

“Their timely intervention ensured the restoration of peace and order in the affected area.

“During the incident, five persons yet to be identified were reportedly attacked, and a vehicle was set ablaze

“Three victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital,” he said.

The spokesperson said the CP also visited the injured victims to assess their condition and assured them of the command’s support.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act.

“The command urges the good people of Ondo State to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear or panic.

“Adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure sustained peace and stability across the state,” he said.

Recall that Mr Ade Adetimehin, Ondo Chairman of APC on Tuesday alleged that political thugs attacked party members at its secretariat in Akure.

Adetimehin said that the attackers demanded that the party should not conduct its Ward Congress in the state.

He narrated that a stakeholders’ meeting was convened at the instance of the congress committee from the national secretary, Abuja, which had met with the state party officials on Monday.

Adetimehin explained that the venue was already filled when the attackers invaded it, alleging that they were mobilised to disrupt the meeting.

He claimed that the attackers beat party leaders and members, seized his phones and other valuables.

He disclosed that several members of the party who sustained injuries during the attack, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

“We were in the secretariat for about one and a half hours on Monday, the chairman of the Ward Congress Committee said we should hold a stakeholder’s meeting today, that I should call the meeting.

“We both agreed to hold the meeting by 12 noon, and by 12.35pm, the hall was filled to its capacity. I spoke with Mr governor one on one about the meeting.

“We both agreed that after the meeting, myself and the committee would go to him and meet him, because it is their duty to tell us the modality for the Congress and how we are going to conduct the Congress.

“After speaking with him, I told him that I heard from the grapevine that some people are mobilising to the secretariat to disrupt the meeting.

“The governor said there was nothing like that and promised to caution anybody behind it.

“30 minutes later, the venue was invaded with thugs, armed with cutlasses and others. They beat hell out of all leaders and members, except those who are for them.

“They dragged me on the floor, I didn’t bother, they took away my two phones from my pocket, with my wristwatch. They equally beat my diver. A lot of our members were wounded during the attack,” he stated.

Reacting to the incident, the state government denied the allegations linking the governor to the disruption.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, in a statement, described the claim of the governor’s involvement as “malicious, false and an attempt to tarnish his image.”

Ajanaku said the governor was neither aware nor connected to the meeting and could not have sanctioned any act of thuggery.

He said that the governor had consistently demonstrated leadership rooted in inclusiveness, civility and democratic principles, adding that his administration has zero tolerance for political violence.

The commissioner said the APC in the state remained disciplined and committed to constructive engagement, noting that political meetings and consultations had been held peacefully across the state without disruption.

(NAN)