The Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mayowa Adejoorin, has been detained by the police over the gunfire that erupted during the All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Ilesa, where a 14-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday, left four persons injured and sparked tension in the ancient city.
Adejoorin’s arrest came as the police launched an investigation into the attack, with the command saying exhibits recovered from the scene linked the commissioner to the incident.
Confirming the development, Osun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was arrested at the scene of the violence and taken to the command for questioning.
According to him, police operatives moved in immediately after receiving the report, cordoned off the area and recovered exhibits, including expanded cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene, cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expanded cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps,” Ojelabi said.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and has been taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process.”
The shooting occurred during the APC rally in Ilesa metropolis, where gunshots reportedly broke out following an alleged confrontation involving party supporters and some Accord chieftains.
One of the victims, 14-year-old Ilesanmi, was said to have been hit on the thigh by a stray bullet while at his mother’s shop.
An eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, claimed that personnel of a state security outfit accompanying Accord chieftains opened fire on APC members, leading to the chaos.
No death has been recorded, while the injured victims are receiving treatment at hospitals.
Adeleke’s camp protests arrest
Reacting to Adejoorin’s detention, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign organisation, the Imole Campaign Council, accused the police of targeting Accord leaders ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the arrest as politically motivated, alleging that it was aimed at weakening Accord’s campaign structure in Ijesaland.
Olajengbesi said the manner of the arrest was disturbing, alleging that the commissioner was being treated unfairly under the cover of police authority.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, to intervene and investigate what he described as a pattern of arrests involving Accord members.
The campaign council also demanded answers from the police on the reason for Adejoorin’s arrest, the evidence against him and the circumstances surrounding his detention.
It insisted that Accord leaders would not be intimidated and called for the immediate release of the commissioner.
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