𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗢 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘

Violence erupted on Wednesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Ondo State, as suspected political thugs invaded several venues across the state, leaving at least two persons confirmed dead and many others injured.

The bloody incident, which has now thrown the party into deeper internal crisis, was most severe in Idanre Local Government Area, where gunshots reportedly rang out, vehicles were attacked, and party members fled for safety.

The chaos was believed to be a continuation of the violent disruption that occurred on Tuesday at the APC State Secretariat in Akure, where suspected hoodlums stormed a stakeholders’ meeting and allegedly assaulted top party leaders.

ADETIMEHIN’S BROTHER ATTACKED, “THEY THOUGHT HE WAS ME”

The Ondo APC Caretaker Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, alleged that his younger brother, Raphael Adetimehin, was brutally attacked by armed thugs who mistakenly identified him as the chairman.

According to him, the attackers shot at Raphael several times, but when the bullets reportedly failed to penetrate, they allegedly turned to cutlasses and repeatedly hacked him.

“They targeted my brother because they thought he was me. They shot at him several times but when the bullets did not penetrate, he was cut repeatedly with a cutlass,” Adetimehin stated.

However, a family source disclosed that Raphael might not have survived the gruesome assault, although official confirmation was still pending at the time of filing this report.

MORE VICTIMS SHOT DEAD, VEHICLE RIDDLED WITH BULLETS

Reports also revealed that two other men, including one who was driving a Toyota Venza, were shot dead during the attack. Their identities were yet to be confirmed.

One of the survivors, Mr. Akinmolejuni, who said he was only visiting the area, narrated how his vehicle was sprayed with bullets by the invading thugs.

“I was on a visit when the shooting started suddenly. My car was hit several times by bullets. It was by sheer luck that I escaped alive,” he said.

POLICE CONFIRM ATTACK, 2 DEAD, CAR BURNT

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the deadly incident, stating that five persons were attacked and a vehicle was set ablaze during the violence.

The Police Public Relations Officer revealed that three victims sustained injuries and were receiving medical treatment, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital.

Following the killings, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, alongside the NSCDC Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, led a joint security team to the affected areas and restored calm.

Police authorities said investigations were ongoing to arrest those behind the killings and destruction.

MORE CHAOS IN AKURE SOUTH, AKURE NORTH

In Akure South Local Government, protest broke out over the appointment of a returning officer, temporarily disrupting the congress process before security agents intervened.

In Akure North, violence also erupted, leaving several persons injured, including the council chairman, Hon. Johnson Ogunbolude, and other party members.

GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA DENIES INVOLVEMENT

Reacting to the growing crisis, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa denied involvement in the violence rocking the congress.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor insisted that the attacks were not linked to him and stated that he had directed security agencies to restore peace and investigate the unrest.

The governor further urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, warning that his administration would not tolerate any breakdown of law and order.

TENSION RISES AS APC CRISIS DEEPENS

The wave of violence has now heightened tension within the APC in Ondo State, raising fears over the safety of party members and the credibility of the ward congress exercise across the state.

Political observers warn that if urgent intervention is not taken, the crisis could further expose the party to internal collapse ahead of future elections.