Date: 2019-02-21

Political thugs believed to be loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara South senatorial candidate, Lola Ashiru, on Tuesday unleashed violence on the people of Ojoku in Oyun local government area of Kwara State.

Ojoku is the country home of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara South, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim.

The thugs, who were said to be on the campaign train of Ashiru, allegedly shot nine PDP members during the melee.

The victims were simply identified as Dondo, the PDP youth leader, Agbade, Sheriff, Said Toyin, Kaba, Akanmu, Tunde Kolokolo and Ibrahim Ojoku.

An eyewitness said that fracas broke out when the APC supporters' shout of "O To Ge" was countered with the PDP's 'O Tun Ya' by the Ojoku people.

He said that when they were overwhelmed by the deafening shout of PDP's "O Tun Ya", the APC thugs opened fire on the people.

Ibrahim (PDP senatorial candidate) said that he had lodged a formal complaint to the police on the unfortunate incident.

He urged his people to remain calm and refrain from reprisal attacks, noting that the intention of the APC was to disrupt the coming Saturday elections, having realised that they cannot win a peaceful, free and fair election in the zone.

He asked the police to intensify efforts at arresting the masterminds and the executors of the attacks and prosecute them accordingly.

In its reaction, the state chapter of the PDP condemned the attack on its members and supporters in Ojoku.

The party, in a statement issued by its state chairman, Kola Shittu, said: "The rioting APC thugs who were on the campaign train of Ashiru shot no fewer than nine PDP members during the attack. The victims are currently receiving treatment at the Offa General Hospital and other private hospitals."