A suspected political thug, Sikiru Adedeji, arrested in connection with the violence that rocked Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, has confessed that a serving Accord Party senator instructed him and gang members involved in the attack to flee town after two people were killed and three policemen shot.
A crisis erupted in Ikire on Monday when suspected thugs allegedly attempted to take over a motor park controlled by loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the melee, the hoodlums allegedly snatched an AK-47 rifle from one of the police operatives who had been called to the scene by members of the motor park. The suspects reportedly used the rifle to fire shots, killing two people and injuring three policemen.
On Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, confirmed the arrest of four suspects.
The suspects were identified as Sikiru Adedeji, 21; Olalere Taiwo, 21; Olalere Ademola, 26; and Bankole Abiodun.
Zungura said an AK-47 rifle, an axe and expended bullet shells were recovered from the suspects.
He said: ‘During preliminary interrogation, they all confessed to be political thugs and their faction is headed by one Ayewo ‘m’, other name unknown, and it was Ayewo that shot the snatched AK-47 rifle that hit the victims. Investigation is ongoing for the arrest of Ayewo and others at large.’
Sikiru said he was collecting money at the Naira and Kobo Park in Ikire, while another man was collecting money at Obada Market as part of union activities.
He said Ayewo subsequently directed some members of the group to bring the man to him after accusing him of failing to properly remit the money collected.
Sikiru said: ‘Ayewo said they should go and bring the boy. Ayewo is our head in the park. He was brought by Scorpion and Lanko. They matcheted the boy and he went to report to the police.
‘When the police came, they (Ayewo and others) said we should not run away from the police. We stayed and collected guns from the police. He (Ayewo) started shooting at the police.Two persons died and some policemen were also hit.’
The suspect further alleged that after the incident, his superior in the Accord Party instructed him to tell Ayewo to leave Ikire.
He said: ‘My Oga in the Accord Party asked me to tell Ayewo to leave the town. The only Oga that I know is Senator Akogun Lere. The axe was kept in my possession by Ayewo.’
The police said investigation into the incident was ongoing, with efforts being made to arrest Ayewo and other suspects still at large.