Osun 2026: Police Arrest Commissioner Over Shooting at APC Rally, Adeleke’s Camp Protests
Osun 2026: Police Arrest Commissioner Over Shooting at APC Rally, Adeleke’s Camp Protests
Political tension has heightened in Osun State following the arrest of the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Asejoorin, by the police in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa that reportedly left four people injured.
The incident occurred during an APC political rally in Ilesa metropolis on Saturday, just days before the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Reports indicated that sporadic gunshots were fired during the disturbance, resulting in injuries to four people, including a 14-year-old boy identified as Ilesanmi.
No death had been recorded as of the time of the initial report, while those injured were taken to hospital for medical attention.
An eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, said the 14-year-old victim was at his mother’s shop when he was struck in the thigh by a stray bullet.
Adeoti alleged that personnel of a state-based security outfit accompanying some Accord Party chieftains fired in the direction of APC supporters, an allegation that remains subject to police investigation.
Confirming the commissioner’s arrest, Osun State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said officers were deployed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the incident.
According to the police, security personnel cordoned off the area and recovered exhibits, including spent cartridges and caps reportedly belonging to Amotekun personnel.
Ojelabi said Asejoorin was arrested in connection with the incident and taken to the police command for questioning as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
However, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Imole Campaign Council strongly condemned the arrest, alleging that it formed part of a wider attempt to intimidate and weaken Accord Party leaders ahead of the governorship election.
Spokesman for the campaign council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described the circumstances surrounding Asejoorin’s arrest as disturbing and demanded his immediate release.
The campaign organisation alleged that prominent Accord leaders and supporters, particularly in Ijesaland, had been subjected to politically motivated arrests designed to keep them away from their communities and campaign activities.
It further accused the APC of attempting to weaken Accord’s political structure in Ijesaland ahead of the August 15 election. The allegation has not been independently established.
Olajengbesi called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and investigate what the campaign described as a pattern of arrests involving Accord Party leaders in Osun State.
The campaign council also demanded that the police publicly explain the evidence supporting the commissioner’s arrest and ensure that security agencies remain neutral as political activities intensify.
The police, however, maintained that Asejoorin’s detention was part of its investigation into the shooting, during which four people were reportedly injured.
The development comes amid rising political tension ahead of the Osun governorship election, with political parties intensifying campaigns and grassroots mobilisation across the state.
With the election scheduled for August 15, attention is increasingly focused on security agencies to maintain neutrality, prevent political violence and guarantee an atmosphere in which residents can exercise their franchise peacefully.
