Drama In Osun As Police Commissioner Is Released Following Ilesa Shooting

The Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, has regained his freedom after spending nearly 24 hours in police custody over a shooting incident in Ilesa.

Adejoorin was arrested on Saturday following gunfire around the Isokun area of Ilesa during a street rally organised by the Ilesa West Local Government Area chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The incident reportedly left at least three people injured, including a 14-year-old boy identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.

The shooting has triggered conflicting allegations between the APC and the Accord Party (A) over who was responsible for the violence.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary findings indicated that suspected Amotekun operatives travelling in a vehicle with an official Osun State Government number plate were allegedly involved in the incident.

According to Ojelabi, the APC rally was underway when participants noticed a vehicle bearing registration number OSHA04 parked close to the gathering.

He said individuals identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged from the vehicle and fired shots, causing people at the rally to flee for safety.

“Three persons are confirmed injured, and they were taken to different hospitals. From the reports we have, they were shot at the rally scene,” Ojelabi said.

He explained that some participants pursued the suspected operatives, although one of them allegedly escaped after threatening those chasing him with a knife.

Commissioner Intercepted By Police

Ojelabi said officers from the Intelligence Response Team responded to the incident and intercepted a white Lexus 350 while heading towards the scene.

According to him, an Amotekun operative and another occupant were found inside the vehicle.

Both individuals were arrested and taken to the police headquarters in Osogbo for questioning.

The second occupant was subsequently identified as Commissioner Adejoorin.

“On interrogation, it was discovered that the other occupant is Honourable Mayowa Adejoorin,” Ojelabi said.

The police said four spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, while a pump-action firearm was allegedly recovered from the Amotekun operative.

Ojelabi said investigations into the incident were still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the head of the APC Campaign Council for Ilesa West, Folarin Fafowora, alleged that the shooting occurred shortly before the rally ended.

Fafowora claimed that the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele, passed through the area shortly before gunshots were heard.

He alleged that individuals emerged from a vehicle and opened fire, forcing him and other participants to seek cover.

Accord Rejects APC Account

The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, rejected the APC’s version of events and accused APC members of being behind the violence.

Olajengbesi alleged that APC supporters were responsible for the shooting and claimed that properties belonging to members of the Accord Party were damaged during the incident.

He also alleged that the Accord Party secretariat was attacked, saying video footage of the incident was already circulating.

The rival accounts have not been independently verified, while the police have continued their investigation.

Commissioner Released

Providing an update on Sunday, police spokesperson Ojelabi confirmed that Adejoorin had been released from custody.

“The commissioner has been released. He was released today,” he said.

However, Ojelabi said he could not immediately confirm whether the Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner had also been released.

“But the Amotekun that was arrested with him, I can’t confirm his release yet because I am still gathering my facts,” he added.