Two people have been killed and five others injured after violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Idanre, Ondo State.
The bloodshed broke out on Wednesday at Odode-Idanre, headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area, as the ruling party conducted congresses across its 203 wards.
The chaos is believed to be linked to tensions from Tuesday’s disruption at the party’s secretariat in Akure, where suspected hoodlums stormed a stakeholders’ meeting and attacked party leaders.
Among those targeted was Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of Ade Adetimehin, the state caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He reportedly sustained machete wounds after attackers allegedly mistook him for his brother.
Eyewitnesses said his vehicle was set ablaze before he was rushed to the General Hospital in Idanre. Police later confirmed that two persons died while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment.
Ade Adetimehin alleged the attack was politically motivated and linked to supporters of Tajudeen Adefisoye, a former member of the House of Representatives and ally of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The claims have not been independently verified.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that five unidentified persons were attacked and a vehicle burnt. Security operatives, led by the Commissioner of Police and the NSCDC commandant, restored order at the scene.
Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the Idanre APC ward congress violence.
