The reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government, Osun State, Mr Remi Abass has been reportedly killed by hoodlums suspected to be supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
The incident was said to have occurred when the late Abass mobilised suspected All Progressives Congress, APC, thugs and supporters to take over the council secretariat in Ikire.
Recall that both parties have laid claim to the leadership of the Council.
While the APC claimed that the Court of Appeal judgement delivered last week has reinstated it sacked elected Council chairmen and councillors, the State government led by the PDP said the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
However, in the early hours of Monday, Abass, led other sacked council officials to take over in line with the court’s verdict and reportedly entered the Secretariat when hoodlums allegedly working for the PDP, stormed the Secretariat to dislodge them.
It was gathered that there was an exchange of gunshots during which Abass was killed while several others were injured.
Some hoodlums also stormed the highway shooting sporadically into the air, creating tension in the community and forcing motorist to make detour to avoid being caught in the cross fire.
“The thugs came out from the building opposite the Secretariat, wielding gun. They deliberately targeted the council chairman. Many surrounded him and did not allow him to escape from the scene and killed him”, a source revealed.
The Commissioner for Protocol and Government Affairs in the state, Mr Soji Ajeigbe claimed that two PDP members, Ege and Igara, were killed by gun-wielding thugs working for the APC.
“Apart from those killed, six others were killed while they were attempting to take-Over the Secretariat. We have deposited the bodies in the morgue while the injured were receiving treatment at the hospital”, he said.
The police in Osun State have yet to issue official statement on the matter.
