Osun Police have confirmed the assassination of Gbenga Ogbara, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the East Central Local Government Area of Atakumosa State.
Yemisi Opalola, a police spokesman in the state, told the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) in Osogbo on Monday that suspected gunmen killed the president around 12:00 am in his living room.
Police Superintendent Ms Opalola said the President’s body had been deposited at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Wesley Guild, Ilesa.
According to her, there is an ongoing police investigation into the matter.
She said police had been deployed to the area.
“Criminals will not escape justice,” the spokesman said.
NAN learned that gunmen broke into the late APC president’s residence in Igangan, his hometown, at around 12:00 am and shot him dead.
It was also learned that the gunmen also injured the deceased’s wife, Ruth, and their son. They are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Ilesa.
APC factions
It was concluded that the murder could be politically motivated, as the state’s gubernatorial election is less than three months away.
The two APC factions in the state, the Osun Progressives loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and a second group loyal to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, have frequently clashed with each other in violent clashes.
It is still unclear which of the groups Ogbara belonged to.
In reaction to the killing, the Osun state government said it had tasked security agents to identify the perpetrators and ensure justice.
A statement issued Monday in Osogbo by Ismail Omipidan, the Oyetola press officer, urged residents and citizens not to take justice into their own hands.
“As a government, we are determined to do everything we can to protect citizens from real and potential threats.
“To this end, we have ordered to tighten security in the Igangan area.
“We have also ordered security agents to launch an extensive manhunt to find those responsible for the murder of the late CPA chief.
“The government urges all citizens to be peaceful and law-abiding as every effort will be made to protect them and their property at all times,” the statement read.
(YAYA)