CHAOS IN ILESA: MULTIPLE INJURIES AS GUNMEN ALLEGEDLY ATTACK APC CAMPAIGN RALLY

*ILESA, OSUN STATE* — Tension gripped Ilesa on Saturday morning after gunmen allegedly opened fire during an All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship campaign rally, leaving several people injured.

The incident occurred around the *Oke-Omiru area* as APC supporters were marching toward *Isokun* during an early-morning campaign procession.

According to eyewitnesses, the rally was ambushed by hoodlums allegedly led by *Hon. Olawale Akerele*, the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly.

A party member, *Segun*, who spoke at the scene, said the attackers first fired shots into the air before turning their guns on members of the campaign team.

*“We were having an early-morning rally and were on our way back to the secretariat when we were ambushed by hoodlums led by a lawmaker,”* Segun said.  

*“They shot into the air to scare us, but when some of us stood our ground, they opened fire directly at the rally. Many of our members were injured.”*

He added that some of the victims were rushed to hospital for treatment. He also alleged that a truck driver and some passers-by were hit by stray bullets.  

One APC member, identified as *Tobi*, is currently receiving treatment at *Wesley Guild Teaching Hospital, Ilesa*.

The APC Campaign Council’s Head of Media, *Oluremi Omowaiye*, also accused Akerele of masterminding the attack.  

Following the shooting, angry APC supporters took to the streets in protest, demanding the immediate arrest and investigation of the lawmaker.

*Akerele Denies Involvement*

However, Hon. Akerele has denied the allegation. He said he was only driving through *Isokun Road* when he encountered the rally.

*“I was driving along Isokun Road when the APC rally met me. They were already shooting into the air,”* Akerele stated.  

*“I had Amotekun operatives with me in the car. They fired into the air to scare them, and we left the scene.”*

He further disclosed that he was later invited by the *Divisional Police Officer, DPO*, to respond to allegations that he shot at APC members.  

*“I honoured the invitation immediately to state my own side of the story,”* he said.

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives have been deployed to strategic areas in Ilesa to prevent further breakdown of law and order. The police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.