A member of the Accord Party has reportedly been killed in Osun State, with suspected political thugs allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) blamed for the attack.
The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Friday in Omi Eran Atijo community, according to sources familiar with the development.
A source who witnessed the incident said the victim was chased by the assailants before they caught up with him and allegedly killed him.
A video from the scene showed the deceased lying motionless inside a drainage channel, with blood visible around his body.
The killing has heightened concerns over security in the state as residents prepare to vote in Saturday’s governorship election. Some residents have also questioned the effectiveness of security personnel deployed to the area amid fears of political violence.
A source alleged that security operatives had remained inactive despite warnings about possible clashes involving suspected APC thugs, adding that the situation had heightened fear among residents and supporters of opposition parties.
A relative of the deceased described the incident as devastating, saying the victim was a family man with a wife and children.
“I’m not okay as I am speaking to you. The man they killed was very close to me. They killed him, and he had a wife and children,” the relative said.
The relative added that the circumstances surrounding the killing had left the family and those close to the deceased deeply traumatised.
The incident comes amid heightened political tension across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Residents and other concerned individuals have called on security agencies to investigate the killing, identify those responsible and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
They also urged security authorities to intensify patrols and take immediate steps to prevent further attacks in the community and other parts of the state.
Meanwhile, the killing comes amid a separate controversy involving an APC House of Assembly candidate in the state.
The Nigerian Naval Commander who ordered the arrest of Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the APC candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area, over alleged possession of a firearm, was reportedly redeployed after the arrest became public.
Komolafe was also reportedly released following what sources described as “orders from above.”
A source said the Naval Commander was redeployed shortly after the arrest attracted widespread attention.
“The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed,” the source said.
“When the news went viral, those from above became agitated and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat,” the source added.
The APC candidate, who was reportedly arrested while allegedly carrying a gun, was later released on the instruction of senior authorities, according to sources.
“They have freed the House of Assembly candidate, Komolafe, based on orders from those high up,” a source said.
Another source added: “After the report went viral, instead of taking action, they let Komolafe go while the Naval officer who stood up to the occasion was punished.”
Komolafe had reportedly been arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel in his hometown of Ifewara, Osun State, while allegedly in possession of a firearm.
