Authorities detain Osun official following gunfire incident at APC gathering; Governor Adeleke reacts strongly

The Osun State Police have taken into custody the state's Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mayowa Asejoorin, in connection with the gunshots fired during the All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday, which left four people injured.

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Among the injured is a 14-year-old boy, Ilesanmi, who was hit by a stray bullet while at his mother's shop, according to eyewitness Kola Adeoti, who also stated that security personnel escorting Accord chieftains shot directly at APC members, sparking a protest in Ilesa.

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No fatalities have been reported as of press time, but the injured victims have been hospitalized for treatment, with the Police confirming the recovery of expanded cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps from the scene.

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DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Osun State Police Command spokesperson, confirmed that Mr Asejoorin was arrested at the scene and is being held for questioning as part of the investigation process.

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The Imole Campaign Council, Governor Ademola Adeleke's campaign team, has described the arrest as a plot to silence Accord leaders in the state, with spokesman Pelumi Olajengbesi characterizing the manner of the arrest as a "bandit-line abduction" carried out under the cover of police authority.

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Olajengbesi has called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene in the situation and rein in the Osun Police Command, particularly Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gothan, stating that Accord leaders and members will not be intimidated.

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The Imole Campaign Council has expressed concern that the arrest may be part of a larger pattern of Accord leaders being targeted by the Police on allegations motivated by "sinister political calculations", and has demanded the immediate release of Mr Asejoorin.

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Olajengbesi has questioned the basis for Mr Asejoorin's arrest, asking what offense he has committed, what evidence exists against him, and why the Police appears to be targeting Accord leaders at this critical moment in the democratic process.

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The Imole Campaign Council has also accused the APC of being desperate in Ijesaland and attempting to weaken the Accord Party's structures by removing its leaders from the field ahead of the August 15 governorship election.