Lawmaker escapes assassination as gunmen kill councillor in presence of wife, children

A councilor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, Sulimon Ariyibi, from ward 10, Ibadan South East Local Government, has been shot dead by gunmen.

Naija News learnt that the PDP chieftain was attacked and killed in his house in the Ile Tuntun area, Ibadan, in the presence of his wife and children.

The deceased and two other PDP members were confirmed dead upon arrival at the Adeooyo state hospital, Ring Road Ibadan, and their remains have been deposited at the morgue.

Confirming the incident, the lawmaker representing Ibadan South East/North East Federal constituency, Abass Adigun, during an interview with journalists at the Adeooyo state hospital, said he was the main target.

Abass alleged that APC thugs also launched an attack on his boys who were together with him on a campaign trail in the Ile Tuntun- Idi Arere area of the state.

According to him, the state governor, Seyi Makinde has urged them not to respond to any form of intimidation or attack from the opposition party, however, there is a need for the police to address the recent attack.

He said: “I was their main target, we are on campaign from Orita Aperin to Adesola and when we got to Ile tuntun area along idi arere area, I saw some APC members stoning us with sachets water and stones.”

“I told my people not to respond to them, but all of a sudden I saw few of our boys on bikes with blood and immediately I alerted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Idi Aro Division and before I dropped the call I was informed that a councillor serving under my constituency has been killed in his house around Ile tuntun, while two among my people that were far back have been shot dead.”

“This is really sad, this is coming few hours before the election, the police need to act fast to address this urgent situation, Governor Makinde is peace loving person, he doesn’t want any violence in the state and he has instructed us not to respond to any form of intimidation or attack from any opposition party in the state, so how could anyone attack us with guns and other dangerous weapons in the name of politics” 

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the command has commenced an investigation on the attack.

He said: “we have received the sad report, and investigations is ongoing to unravel the situation that led to the development.”