By Deborah Nnamdi
The reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Osun State, Mr Remi Abass, has reportedly been killed by hoodlums working for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after taking over the council secretariat in Ikire on Monday.
It would be recalled that both parties have been laying claim to control of the third tier of government as the APC claimed that the Court of Appeal judgment delivered last week had reinstated the sacked elected council chairmen and councilors while the State Government said the election was nullified by the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
Early hours on 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 Peoples Democratic Party, 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 motorists to make detours to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
“The thugs came out from the building opposite the Secretariat, wielding guns. 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.
When contacted, Osun State Police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola said she will investigate the matter and reach back.
