The alleged bloodied ‘police gunman’ held by security men
There is growing confusion over the reported Friday gunmen attack at a reception for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The police, the state government and the APC have given different versions of the story.
The reception which held at the APC secretariat in the Ekiti capital had attracted a large crowd of party supporters and some bigwigs such as Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, a former Minister of Works, Dayo Adeyeye , former Reps, Opeyemi Bamidele. As they were descending the staircase at the secretariat, a policeman was said to have suddenly shot into the air to scare the surging crowd.
In the ensuing melee, Bamidele was said to have been shot on the hand while two other victims were also hit. They are currently in hospital
In its own version of the story, the APC in a statement by its state spokesman, Taiwo Olatunbusn, claimed that Fayemi, who resigned his ministerial appointment of Friday, was the “target of an assassination attack”.
According to him :” It was a smooth ride from Akure Airport to Ikere-Ekiti where thousands of supporters came out to give him a rousing welcome.
“Ikere-Ekiti journey to Ado-Ekiti, a distance of about nine kilometres, lasted two hours in a heavy traffic that was punctuated by four gunmen suspected to be agents of the state government who strategically positioned themselves at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti for the attack. One of the assailants dressed in mobile police uniform was apprehended and he is now helping the police in their investigation.
“They fired gunshots aimed at Fayemi but hit a former lawmaker, Opeyemi Bamidele, after the former minister had taken a few steps forward before the bullets hit the target. Bamidele and other victims were immediately rushed to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, where doctors are responding to his treatment. Bamidele was fatally wounded in the attack while others also sustained various degrees of injuries.
Other victims in the hospital included Olabode Joshua, Olanrewaju Gbenga, Adebayo Ogunjemilehin, Ogunmodede Oluwole and Alex Adeleye.”
In a swift reaction, the state government said the opposition APC should look within its fold for the alleged assassination.
The Ekiti State Government in a statement by Lere Olayinka said: “Today, the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi invaded Ekiti State with armed policemen and thugs, throwing the State that has been peaceful since the advent of Governor Ayodele Fayose’s government into bloodshed.
“Akeredolu led the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to Ekiti in a show of federal might and in the process, seven people were hit by police bullets.
“At the APC secretariat, one of the mobile policeman, was said to be using his gun to push away the thugs brought from Ondo State and the hoodlums in turn dragged the gun with him, leading to sporadic shootings that left six persons shot.
“One of those injured was Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele. Five others also had gunshot injuries.
“The APC thugs backed by armed policemen later went on rampage at Ojumose area of Ado Ekiti, destroying the canopies and chairs in front of the residence of late Prince Adegoke.
“One of the Teargas canisters fired by the policemen hit a Taxi driver, Odeyemi Olumide badly injuring him. He is now receiving treatment at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, alongside five others who were shot at the APC secretariat.
“As usual, the APC went to town with story that the policeman who fired the shots at the party secretariat was fake.
“However, information available to us is that the policeman was brought from Ondo State by Governor Akeredolu.
“Consequently, we challenge the Police authority to release the identity of the police officer to the public and how he left Akure for Ado Ekiti.
“We also wish to alert the public of the possibility of the APC shenanigans plotting to assassinate the policeman so as to sustain their lie that he is fake.
“We make bold to say that Governor Akeredolu of Ondo State and Dr Fayemi must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti State. We are aware of their mobilisation of thugs from Ondo State to Ekiti for the July 14. The governor even reportedly boasted that he was ready to spend two months allocation of Ondo State on Fayemi’s election.
“The first manifestation of Governor Akeredolu’s plot to ensure that Ekiti is taken by force was the bloodshed witnessed in the State today.
“Lastly, let Governor Akeredolu and his stooge, Kayode Fayemi know that Ekiti is not a state to be taken by force and annexed to Ondo State by anyone, our people will resist the APC agents of bloodshed.”
The Ekiti State Police Command said it was investigating the development.
Police spokesman in the state, Caleb Chukwuemeka, said the command was still awaiting the report of the incident from its officers deployed to provide security at the reception.
