Osun Assembly Speaker Narrates How Suspected Assailants Laid Siege On Residence

By Ayodele Oni

The political tension in Osun State took a new dimension as Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, claimed that he escaped being assassinated by people suspected to be political thugs on Wednesday.

He stated that men of Department of State Services, (DSS) and the Police officers attached to the office of the Speaker repelled the assailants, who arrived the Speaker’s residence at around 2.00 am shooting sporadically at the building.

The Speaker and Ijesa South All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders during a press conference in Ilesa on Wednesday, disclosed that the attackers also reached out to other APC members including a member representing Ilesa West State constituency, Wale Adedoyin and Folarin Fafowora, the immediate past Chairman of Ilesa West Central LCDA.

Owoeye explained  that about five members of the APC have been killed in gruesome manner across Eti Oni in Atakumosa East, Oke Aga and Ilesa, notable among the dead is the immediate past Secretary of Atakumosa East LCDA.

“In the early hours of today 22nd February an assassination attempt was made on my life if not for divine Providence the story would have been different.

“I want to salute the security men who stood their ground to prevent my assailants from carrying out their aim.

“Recall that last week, I released a press release about the killings of Ebenezer Alaro, a member of our party whose only crime was to drive a Truck used to convey the public address system we used for our rally from Monday through Thursday.

“He was trailed home after the Thursday rally and was killed in front of his parents house.

“I was also informed that this morning that an electrification project which I have expended over 15 million naira on in Oke Aga has been destroyed and riddled with bullets. I sympathize with the community who will be thrown into darkness because of this senseless politics.

“The recent happening in Osun is becoming worrisome and needs proper attention from every well-meaning citizens, the return of political thuggery after about 12 years of the APC Administration in the states now gives residence and citizen sleepless nights.

“It will not be wrong to say that the change of baton in the government in the state has actually encouraged the return of that dark era of when citizens cannot sleep with their two eyes closed.

“I, therefore, call on the police to investigate the assassination attempt on my life, the gruesome murder of Alaro and others with a view to ensuring that those involved are brought to Justice.

“I want to believe that such heinous crime if not quickly investigated and perpetrators docked could aggravate an already tensed situation that will lead to breakdown of law and order in the State before and during the forthcoming election.

“The Nigerian police and other relevant security Agencies must be seen to be alive to order constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties.

“A quick investigation into the attempted murder, murder and other hooliganism will serve as deterrent to people who are hell-bent on distrusting the peace of our society.”