Gunmen attack APC leaders in Ogun

Unknown gunmen yesterday attacked residence of no fewer than three chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ifo local government area of Ogun State.

Notable among those attacked by the gunmen numbering about 15 included the office of the party Chairman in Ifo ward I, Alhaji Aderibigbe Asimiyu located at Adenrele road, but was not at the office at the time of the attack.

A source at the scene of the incident old our correspondent that the gunmen later headed for the house of another leader in the same ward, Alhaji Fatai Akinlagun who resides in Ilupeju area of the town but was also not at home when the hoodlums visited.

The next point of call, according to the report, was the house of a youth leader in ward II of the same local government, Segun Abolade but equally escaped as he was also not at home.

At every point, the gunmen, most of whom were reportedly on mask, shot sporadically to scare people away but were more cruel at Abolade's house as they reportedly opened fire on his house.

The source who preferred to remain anonymity said many people in the neighborhoods scampered for safety as the hoodlums move from one area to the other.

He blamed the attack on members of a cult group, Eiye confraternity poiting out that they were led into the scene by some identified members of the People's Democratic Party, PDP.

He said, "Something happened on Monday, a guy was in that area to paste posters of a PDP House of Assembly Candidate, Taiwo Oyero but was prevented from pasting the posters, the guy could not even identified those who stopped him.

"What happened this morning (Tuesday) was around 11 am, these guys stormed the areas and headed for the residence of APC leaders in the local government but none of them were at home. These thugs started shooting sporadically while people including women scampered for safety."

A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly who represents Ifo I State Constituency, Olakunle Oluomo who also spoke with our correspondent blamed the incident on the opposition PDP.

He explained that the hoodlums were fully armed and started chasing party leaders around adding that the case has been reported with the Nigeria Police and Department of the State Security Services, SSS.

Oluomo said the security operatives have been to the scene for on-the-spot assessment and taken necessary pictures.

While contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed that a report to the incident was made at Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police however explained that the complainants were yet to adequately brief the police adding that the police were still expecting them to make proper statement.

"The case was reported with the DPO in Ifo but they told the police they'll be coming back to make statement. We are still expecting them to open the case file and commence investigation into the matter.

"What they told the DPO was that they can't recognize the perpetrators but as for us, the Police will do the needful, investigate the matter and get to the root‎," the PPRO said.