A fresh outbreak of political violence has heightened concerns over the security of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election after gunmen reportedly opened fire on party supporters during a political rally in Ilesa on Saturday, leaving three people injured.

The incident, which occurred amid heightened political activities ahead of the election, has resulted in the arrest of Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Anjorin, and another suspect identified by the police as Odeyemi Abimbola.

The development is particularly troubling for residents and political observers, coming despite intensified efforts by security agencies to prevent a recurrence of election-related violence in the state.

The Commissioner of Police deployed for the election, Erale Samuel Etaifo, had embarked on consultations with political parties and other stakeholders after his arrival in the state, with a focus on maintaining peace before, during and after the election.

Etaifo had also warned police officers and other security personnel against actions capable of compromising the electoral process or undermining public safety.

However, the Ilesa shooting has raised fresh questions about the enforcement of those security measures and the alleged involvement of individuals connected to government and the state security architecture.

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According to a statement issued by the Osun State Police Command on Saturday, the incident began when suspected armed men reportedly alighted from a vehicle with registration number OSHA 04 and fired several shots around an ongoing political procession.

The police said some of the individuals involved were allegedly dressed as personnel of the Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun.

Three people — Tobi Ilesanmi, Wasiu Alanide and Aderemi Adedeji — sustained gunshot injuries in the incident. They were subsequently taken to a hospital, where they were receiving treatment.

The police said some members of the public pursued the fleeing suspects and apprehended some of them. One of the suspected Amotekun operatives allegedly produced a knife and attempted to attack those who caught him, allowing him to escape.

Following the report, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) mobilised to the area.

During the operation, police said they sighted a Lexus vehicle with registration number ABJ-89TS and found an individual identified as an Amotekun operative inside with a pump-action firearm.

The vehicle and its occupants were taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department for questioning.

The police identified one of the occupants as Anjorin, the state Commissioner for Environment, while the Amotekun operative was identified as Odeyemi Abimbola.

The command also acknowledged allegations linking other individuals, including Wale Akerele, to the incident. However, it stressed that such claims remain allegations and that no person should be considered guilty until investigations establish their involvement.

Weapons Recovered

Police said four spent cartridges and an Amotekun cap were recovered in connection with the incident.

The command has commenced a comprehensive investigation aimed at determining what triggered the shooting, identifying everyone involved and establishing the source and ownership of the firearms allegedly used.

Investigators are also expected to determine the individual roles of those arrested and establish whether the incident was connected to the ongoing political activities ahead of the governorship election.

The police assured residents that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently, without political interference, and that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.

The command urged political parties, supporters and residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

It also warned against the circulation of unverified information capable of escalating tensions in the state.

The latest incident has nevertheless revived concerns over the potential for political violence as Osun approaches its governorship election, with stakeholders facing renewed pressure to ensure that campaign activities do not degenerate into clashes or armed confrontations.