Nine persons were arrested and charged to court by the Kwara State police command over alleged public disturbance during the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) state congress, in Ilorin.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the arrested persons, armed with dangerous weapons, ammunition and charms, fired sporadic shots at the venue of the congress.

It was also gathered that the reason for the pandemonium at the venue of the congress, Stella Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall, Ilorin, on Tuesday night, was over allegation and counter allegation of electoral malpractices by factions in the party, while law enforcement agents fired tear gas severally to disperse people.

Reports also gathered that occupants of shops and residential buildings around the venue of the congress suffered the effect of the tear gas, as people ran helter-skelter.

Sources at the venue also said the arrested men were Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) members, allegedly hired by some politicians to disrupt the congress. It was gathered that three of the suspects, allegedly dressed in MOPOL trousers and round neck shirts, confessed to have been brought from places outside Ilorin to disrupt the congress.