The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Asejoorin, following gunshots that disrupted a political rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
The incident occurred during a gathering of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where sporadic gunfire left four people injured, including a 14-year-old boy who was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while at his mother’s shop. All victims were taken to the hospital, and no deaths were recorded as of press time.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the violence broke out after a clash involving political actors, with accusations that security personnel escorting rival party figures fired at APC supporters, triggering unrest in the area.
Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the arrest, stating that officers swiftly secured the scene and recovered evidence, including spent cartridges and items linked to local security operatives. He said Asejoorin was taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation.
Reacting to the arrest, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign team, the Imole Campaign Council, condemned the action, describing it as politically motivated. Spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi alleged a pattern of targeting opposition figures and called for the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police.
The council warned against what it described as attempts to intimidate political actors ahead of the August 15 governorship election, insisting that the arrest lacked legal basis and demanding the commissioner’s immediate release.
Police say investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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