Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has strongly condemned what he described as coordinated attacks on residents in Ile-Ife, Ede, and Osogbo, allegedly carried out by political thugs loyal to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO).
Speaking during an emergency press briefing at the Government House in Osogbo on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene by cautioning the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and the APC governorship candidate over what he termed escalating political violence in the state.
According to the governor, the violence reportedly began in Ile-Ife before spreading to Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia, and other parts of Osogbo. He alleged that the attackers moved through the affected areas in a convoy of about 15 vehicles branded with AMBO campaign materials without any intervention from security operatives.
“As of the time of this briefing, several residents are feared injured, while reports indicate that one or two persons may have lost their lives. The attackers were reportedly led by individuals popularly known as Aleba and Asiri,” Adeleke said.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as the inability of the police to halt the attacks or apprehend those responsible.
“These attacks are outrageous, unprovoked, and capable of plunging our state into chaos. I condemn in the strongest terms the destabilising roles allegedly being played by Gboyega Oyetola and Bola Oyebamiji. The level of provocation is becoming unbearable,” he stated.
Adeleke recalled previous incidents of violence in the state, including the killing of a youth leader of the Accord Party in Ikire and the recent shooting of the party’s chairman in Osogbo.
“These attacks must stop. Our people should not be pushed to the wall,” he warned.
The governor appealed to the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security chiefs to pay urgent attention to developments in Osun State.
“I also appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Mr Oyetola and Oyebamiji to order in the interest of peace and stability,” he added.
Following the press conference, Governor Adeleke embarked on an assessment tour of several flashpoints and visited victims receiving treatment at healthcare facilities across the state.
His first stop was the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he met with injured victims, their families, and medical personnel attending to them. During the visit, he also paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area, who was reportedly attacked last week by suspected political assailants.
The governor later proceeded to the Cottage Hospital in Ede, where additional victims of the attacks are receiving medical care.
Addressing patients during the visits, Adeleke expressed sympathy for those injured and assured them that the state government would stand by them throughout their recovery.
He described the incidents as unfortunate, reprehensible, and inconsistent with the peaceful reputation of Osun State.
“Political disagreements should never degenerate into violence, intimidation, or attacks on innocent citizens. Democracy thrives on dialogue, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law,” the governor said.
“I am deeply saddened by the injuries inflicted on innocent citizens. No political ambition is worth the blood or suffering of our people. Osun remains a peaceful state, and we will not allow any individual or group to undermine the peace our people have worked hard to sustain.”
Governor Adeleke directed security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the attacks and ensure that all those responsible, regardless of political affiliation or status, are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also disclosed that additional security measures were being deployed across vulnerable areas of the state to forestall further violence and maintain public order.
The governor expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of politically motivated attacks, stressing that no citizen should be subjected to violence for exercising constitutionally guaranteed rights.
While praying for the speedy recovery of all victims, Adeleke urged political leaders across party lines to caution their supporters and avoid actions capable of threatening public peace and democratic stability.
He further appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies as investigations continue, assuring them that his administration remains committed to protecting lives and property across Osun State.
The statement was signed by Mallam Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the Osun State Governor.
