Tragedy as APC Members Killed, Party Chieftain, Several Others Injured in Fresh Attack

According to report by The Nation on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at least two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost their lives, while six others suffered gunshot wounds after armed men attacked a political mobilisation meeting in Osogbo, Osun State, on Wednesday evening.

The gathering, held in the Owode-Igbona area, was organised to mobilise support for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), ahead of the party’s official campaign launch in Ile-Ife.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived in a white bus wearing black uniforms resembling those of security personnel.

They reportedly attempted to abduct an APC youth leader, Ogundele Awosola, popularly known as Ogunteru.

When he resisted and escaped, the gunmen allegedly opened fire on party members, leaving several people dead or injured.

Awosola claimed he was specifically targeted because he and several others had recently defected from the Accord Party to the APC.

He alleged that one of the assailants, whom he identified as “Rugged,” pointed a gun at him before he managed to escape.

He also claimed the attackers had been monitoring their activities since their defection.

Among those confirmed dead were 70-year-old Kazeem Akande and another member identified simply as Lekan.

The injured included APC chieftain Kehinde Salaudeen, Olalekan Mutiu, and 13-year-old Rodiyat Ariyo.

Former Accord Party local government chairman, Hon. Akinloye Isiaka, who recently joined the APC, said he narrowly escaped the attack after leaving the meeting moments before the shooting began. He called for justice for the victims.

Several APC leaders, including Ambassador Issah Niniola, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, and former commissioner Adebayo Adeleke, visited the scene and hospitals treating the victims.

They condemned the violence, describing it as politically motivated, and urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Omowaiye also stated that medical examinations suggested the attackers may have used AK-47 rifles.

Governor Ademola Adeleke appealed for calm, describing the incident as a suspected cult-related attack rather than a politically sponsored assault.

Through his spokesperson, he condemned the killings and urged security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the attacks, announcing that two suspects had been arrested in connection with a separate incident at Egbatedo, while firearms and ammunition were recovered at the Owode-Igbona scene.

Police said investigations are ongoing and that they are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding both attacks.