Bullets ripped through the morning calm in Ilesa Tuesday as gunmen stormed an APC rally in Igbogi, Ilesa, leaving two dead and a community scrambling for cover just days to the Osun election.
The attack occurred around 7:30 a.m. as All Progressives Congress (APC) members gathered for what was billed as their final rally. Witnesses said armed men wielding pump-action rifles invaded the venue and opened fire indiscriminately.
“We were preparing for our final rally today. Our leaders asked us to converge at Igbogi by 8 a.m.,” said a resident, Sola. “But at about 7:30 a.m., the thugs invaded and started shooting sporadically. Four people were hit. It is so unfortunate.”
Oluremi Omowaiye, Media Head of the APC Campaign Council, confirmed the casualties. “Four of our supporters were shot. Two have died, while two others are in critical condition. Our Woman Leader in Ilesa is among the victims and is currently struggling to breathe at Wesley Guild Hospital,” he said.
The Igbogi attack was not isolated. Within 24 hours, the party said 12 members were killed in separate incidents — five at a weekend rally and seven more on Tuesday while converging for another gathering.
APC members later staged a protest in Ilesa against what they described as targeted political violence. They were joined by Ijesa leaders led by Senator Francis Fadahunsi.
A video of Fadahunsi addressing the crowd sparked fresh tension after he was heard saying, “We must not see any Accord Party member in Ijesa land. When you see them, kill them.”
His office swiftly denied it, stating: “I meant kill Accord with your votes. At no point did Senator Fadahunsi advocate violence. Elections should be decided by the ballot, not force.”
DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, Osun Police PPRO, confirmed investigations are ongoing.
