Gunmen Shoot Accord Party Chairman in Osun Assassination Attempt

Tension has gripped Osogbo after unknown gunmen on a motorcycle attacked and shot the Accord Party Local Government Chairman, Asimiyu Ajibola, leaving him hospitalised.

The Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local Government Area, Asimiyu Ajibola, narrowly escaped death on Wednesday night after armed men opened fire on his vehicle in an apparent assassination attempt.

Political tension has heightened in Osun State following a targeted gun attack on the Chairman of the Accord Party in Osogbo Local

Government Area, Asimiyu Ajibola, popularly known as Baba Isila.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night in the MDS area of Osogbo, near the Osogbo Community Bank axis, sending panic across the neighbourhood as gunshots rang out.

According to eyewitness accounts, Ajibola and his political associates were travelling in a blue Toyota Corolla when two armed men riding on a motorcycle trailed their vehicle and unleashed a barrage of bullets.

One of the occupants who survived the attack recounted the terrifying ordeal: “We were coming from the MDS area of Osogbo at about 9:50 pm, and all of a sudden, the gun-wielding men chased and released a volley of bullets on all of us in the car. It was a coordinated attack.”

The victims reportedly managed to escape the barrage and drove to the Dugbe Divisional Police Headquarters in Osogbo to seek refuge before the assailants could finish their operation.

Ajibola, who sustained gunshot injuries during the ambush, was immediately rushed to the University of Osun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, described the attack as an attempted murder.

“Upon receiving the distress report, the Police immediately mobilized tactical and conventional teams to the scene,” Ojelabi said in a statement. “A team of Police officers swiftly evacuated the victim to a medical facility where he is currently receiving treatment.”

The State Government has also weighed in on the development. The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, strongly condemned the shooting.

Describing it as an unfortunate development, Alimi charged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the perpetrators are unmasked and brought to justice.

Police authorities say they have launched a manhunt for the fleeing gunmen as investigations continue into the motive behind the attack.