Hoodlums, suspected to be political thugs on Wednesday morning attacked members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) injuring at least six people after the party’s campaign in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state.
It was gathered that the thugs who invaded homes of some members of PDP in the town in the early hour of Wednesday, were said to be armed with dangerous weapons which include, guns, cutlasses and various weapons .
A source explained that the suspected political thugs started shooting sporadically after invading the area, and about six people who were hit with bullets were rushed to the hospital.
According to him, one of the leaders of PDP from Idanre community, Otunba Olowoniyi Akinleminu, was injured during the invasion of the hoodlums and was taken to the State Specialist Hospital in Akure for medical attention.
Speaking on the attack, the Director of Media and Publicity of PDP, Mr Adeyemi Fasoranti, and Hon Bosede Salami expressed concerns over ugly incident.
According to Fasoranti, the thugs were irked and threatened by the turn out and success of PDP political rally held in the local government on Tuesday,
Fasoranti alleged that one Oyewole Aderemi (Gulder) and another suspected thug popularly called Osha who were armed with firearms threatened to kill as many as they could before, during and after the elections.
He said the hoodlums claimed to be member of the party in power and would not give room for opposition in the local government, and boasting no security agencies can arrest them for any crime committed.
Similarly, Salami said the lives of PDP members are being threatened by suspected political thugs and cultists invited by political gladiators in the town, to checkmate the activities and House to House campaign of the PDP.
She said “We wish to use this opportunity to remind the sponsors of these violent acts that elections should not be treated as a war. If you are confident in your party’s ability to win Idanre, there is no need to resort to thuggery or violence against the electorate.”
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Funmi Odunlami, who confirmed the attack, said the state Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, has directed the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter.
Odunlami recalled that the Police Commissioner had previously convened a peace meeting as part of efforts to bring leaders of the two major political parties in the area together.
The PPRO said “the case, which has escalated into violence and attempted murder, is currently under investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that peace is restored in the area, particularly at such a critical juncture in the state’s history.
“The CP has made it clear that the Command will exercise zero tolerance towards any individual or group, whether directly or indirectly involved, who engages in or permits actions that could disrupt the peace before, during, or after the election”
He called on parents, guardian, community leaders, and influential figures to warn their followers , wards and loved ones to avoid any form of disruptive behavior during this period.
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