Members of The Osun Progressives (TOP), a caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, on Thursday escaped being lynched by yet to be identified armed thugs who launched a violent attack on them while holding a meeting at the building belonging to the immediate past governor of the state, Mr Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo.
The attackers, who were armed with AK- 47 rifles, pump-action guns, cutlasses, knives, clubs and other dangerous weapons, shot sporadically into the air before advancing to the gate of the building.
The incident which occured around 2pm of the day, threw residents, shop owners and road users into a panic as many of them quickly locked up their shops and fled within the twinkle of an eye.
There was, however, a resistance by TOP members who organised themselves into a formidable force to counter the attack before the intervention of the security operatives.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the attack, chairman of The Osun Progressives (TOP), Rev. Lowo Adeniy, condemned the attack which he described as callous and wicked.
According to him, “I was just addressing the caucus when the thugs started shooting. This led to a stampede as APC members scampered for safety. Luckily for us, there were no major casualties as members ran into the main building for safety. But some of our people were wounded.
“We need to state that officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who usually provide security for the weekly meeting were not on ground.
“Today’s attack is coming three days after we raised the alarm that the IleriOluwa people have concluded plans to eliminate leaders of TOP and other members of our party.”
“I released a statement three days ago that some of our leaders were to be assassinated in the state by the IleriOluwa group. Today’s attack bears us witness that they are indeed after us.
“We need to remind security agencies in the state that they are responsible for the safety of the lives and property of our people. They should not wait until one of us is killed before they act on our petitions and reports.
“We will officially inform the Commissioner of Police, the AIG Zone XI and the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on today’s attack.
“This is a serious concern for all of us in the state. We have been holding weekly meetings for the past four months. We have not attacked anyone. We urge the President to intervene now.
“Why will the government be using thugs to attack members of the same party openly in the afternoon.
“On August 16, the same set of people attacked us at the party secretariat. We were arrested and arraigned in court instead of the perpetrators of the attack. But the court set us free. During the state congress, they came to attack us again and two of our members were shot.
“Two days ago, they attacked some of our members at Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government during their meeting. Today again, the same thing happened to us.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to come and see what is happening in Osun. Governor Oyetola-led IleriOluwa group is after our lives. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to urgently intervene in the issue now.”
Source: Nigerian Tribune Newspapers