A councillorship candidate in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Ogun State, has been shot and killed by gunmen in the Oke Ilewo area of the state capital.
Adeleke Adeyinka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate from Ward 15, was running in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for November 16, 2024.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers arrived in a car with tinted windows, shot Adeyinka, and then struck him with a stone before fleeing the scene.
State police authorities have confirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects.
“The incident was reported around 12:30 pm when a concerned citizen reported that unknown individuals believed to be cultists arrived in an unregistered Toyota Corolla Sports car with a pump action shotgun and pistol at Jide Jones, Oke Ilewo in Ibara,” the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command Omolola Odutola said.
“The assailants opened fire, killing 40-year-old Adeyinka Adeleke before they filed to an unknown location. Photos of the scene have been taken and normalcy has been restored while effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
‘Senseless, Horrific’
Meanwhile, the state APC Youth Leaders’ Forum has condemned the ugly incident and described it as “senseless”.
In a statement issued and signed by the youth leader Kabir Odedairo and the spokesman of the group Timothy Odedina, they demanded immediate investigation to unravel the cause and those behind the heinous killing
“The Ogun State All Progressives Congress Youth Leaders’ Forum is deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal murder of Adeleke Adeyinka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ward 15, Abeokuta South, who was killed today in the Jide Jones area of Abeokuta City,” the group said.
“We strongly condemn this senseless and horrific act which has left our community shaken and grieving. The fact that Adeleke was shot and stoned to death by unknown assailants in a tinted car is particularly disturbing and warrants immediate attention from law enforcement agencies.”
While describing the deceased as a “promising young leader,” it called for a “thorough investigation” into his killing.
“As a Forum, we demand a thorough investigation into this heinous crime and call on the relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served, We also urge the police to increase patrols and security measures in the affected areas to prevent further violence,” the APC Youth Leaders’ Forum said.
“Adeleke’s contributions to the Ogun State youth leaders’ forum will not be forgotten, and his untimely death is a loss to the entire youth community in Ogun State.
They also extended our deepest condolences to Adeleke’s family, friends, and colleagues.