Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A fresh wave of political violence has rocked Osun State, with a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shot by suspected political thugs and two residents of Ilesa abducted by another group of thugs alleged to be loyal to the APC, just weeks before the state’s crucial August 15 governorship election. The incidents, which occurred on Saturday, June 27, 2026, have heightened tensions across the state and prompted the police to launch investigations while the Inspector-General of Police orders a show of force to flush out criminals.
In the first incident, a member of the All Progressives Congress, Taofeek Mustapha, was shot in the leg by suspected political thugs at the Oluode-Aranyin area of Osogbo, the state capital. According to a resident, Sola Hammed, the hoodlums arrived in an unmarked vehicle and began shooting sporadically into the air, causing panic and scattering residents. Mustapha, who survived the attack, narrated that he became a target because he was wearing a fez cap emblazoned with “AMBO,” the campaign acronym of the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“Everyone ran for safety, and they pursued me because I was wearing the APC candidate cap. When I was shot, I cried for help. Then the attackers retreated back into their vehicle and drove away,” Mustapha recounted. He further alleged that the attackers were wearing fez caps with Accord Party insignia, and three of them alighted from the vehicle with guns before opening fire. The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced.
In a separate incident that same week, two residents of Ilesa were abducted by suspected political thugs. The victims, identified as members of the Accord Party, were reportedly taken from their homes on Thursday night. A video that circulated widely on Friday showed a man being forced into a vehicle marked “AMBO,” the campaign acronym of the APC governorship candidate. An elderly widow, whose son was among the abducted, tearfully recounted how the attackers stormed their home during dinner and ignored pleas for mercy.
The abductions sparked a peaceful protest in Ilesa, with Accord Party supporters marching from Otapete to the Owa’s Palace, carrying placards with messages such as “APC Thugs Are Abducting Us,” “Save Us From APC Hoodlums,” and “We Are Living in Fear”. The party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Ibraheem Popoola, accused suspected APC-aligned hoodlums of being responsible for the abductions and called on security agencies to intervene.
The Osun State Police Command confirmed both incidents. CSP Abiodun Ojelabi stated that an investigation had commenced into the shooting of Mustapha. Regarding the abductions, Ojelabi disclosed that the two residents of Ilesa had been rescued and were currently in police custody assisting with investigations. He explained that while initial reports pointed to abduction, further findings suggested additional criminal elements were involved.
The incidents have intensified the blame game between the two major political parties. The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council denied involvement in the abductions, describing a viral video showing a man being taken away in an “AMBO”-branded vehicle as a “scripted act” and a planned attempt to tarnish the image of the party and its candidate. The Accord Party, which is aligned with Governor Ademola Adeleke, has accused the APC of orchestrating violence and abductions to intimidate its supporters.
The political atmosphere in Osun has become increasingly tense ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with both parties engaging in daily accusations and counter-accusations. The violence has also drawn the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, who has directed the Commissioner of Police in Osun, Ibrahim Gotan, to embark on a show of strength and raid criminal hideouts to flush out suspected criminals.
The shooting of an APC member and the abduction and rescue of two Accord Party supporters underscore the escalating political violence in Osun State. With the governorship election just weeks away, stakeholders are calling for restraint and a commitment to peaceful campaigns. The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that those responsible for the violence will be brought to justice. However, the incidents have raised concerns about the security of citizens and the integrity of the electoral process, as the state braces for what promises to be a fiercely contested election.
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