Oyo: Gunmen Shot Dead PDP Councillor, Two Others In Ibadan

BARELY hours before the governorship and state House of Assembly elections in Oyo State, a councillor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has been shot dead by gunmen.

Sulimon Ariyibi from Ward 10, Ibadan South East Local Government of the state was reportedly attacked and killed in his house in the Ile Tuntun area, Ibadan, the capital city of the state in the presence of his wife and children. The deceased and two others yet to be identified were confirmed dead upon arrival at the Adeooyo State Hospital off Ring Road, Ibadan.

Confirming the incident during an interview with journalists at the Adeooyo State Hospital, the lawmaker representing Ibadan South East/North East Federal Constituency, Abass Adigun, alleged that it was “APC boys” that launched the attack on his boys, who were with him on a campaign trail around Ile Tuntun-Idi Arere axis of the city.

He said: “I was their main target, we were on a campaign from Orita Aperin to Adesola and when we got to the Ile Tuntun area along the Idi Arere area, I saw some APC members stoning us with sachets water and stones.

“I told my people not to respond, but all of a sudden, I saw a few of our boys on bikes with blood and immediately I alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Idi Aro Division and before I dropped the call, I was informed that a councillor serving under my constituency has been killed in his house around Ile Tuntun, while two of my people that were far back were shot dead.

“This is really sad, this is coming a few hours before the election. The police need to act fast to address this urgent situation, Governor Seyi Makinde is a peace-loving person, he doesn’t want any violence in the state and he has instructed us not to respond to any form of intimidation or attack from any opposition party. So, how could anyone attack us with guns and other dangerous weapons in the name of politics”. 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso has confirmed the incident.

Osifeso in a phone call said: “We have received the sad report, and investigations are ongoing to unravel the situation that led to the development.”

At press time, the remains of the three victims have been deposited at the morgue at the Adeoyo Hospital.