The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on security agencies to track down the suspected hoodlums who allegedly hacked a party member, Ridwan Adeyemo, to death in Ibadan.
Adeyemo was reportedly attacked by a gang of armed men on Friday in the Ita-Barika area of Agbokojo, Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The deceased, a commercial motorcyclist and APC member in Ward 06 of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, reportedly died at the scene of the attack.
Politics Nigeria reports that the circumstances surrounding the killing remain unclear.
However, the APC alleged that Adeyemo was targeted because of his political affiliation.
Olawale Sadare, the party’s publicity secretary, who confirmed the incident in a statement, called for a thorough investigation into the killing.
The state party leadership also condemned the incident during a condolence visit to the bereaved family, describing the killing as a disturbing development amid concerns over political violence in the state.
Speaking during the visit, the APC state secretary, Fatai Adesina, said the party received news of the killing late on Friday and expressed concern over reports that the attackers questioned Adeyemo about his political affiliation before killing him.
“We received the shocking news of the dastardly act at the late hours of Friday. It became more regrettable when we got to know that the deceased was attacked and hacked down because he was an APC loyalist, as eyewitness accounts had it that his killers queried him on why he chose our Party over other registered political parties,” Adesina said.
He added that the party had information that could assist the investigation but would withhold the details to avoid compromising police efforts to identify the perpetrators.
Adesina described Adeyemo as a responsible citizen who left behind an aged mother and a pregnant wife, adding that his death had caused grief for the family and concern among party members.
The APC secretary further accused political thugs of threatening opposition members in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, urging security agencies to take decisive action to prevent further attacks.
“In the last few days, the leadership of our great Party has had causes to call on the security agencies to be proactive in checking the activities of sponsored political thugs and hoodlums who have been threatening members of the opposition parties in Ibadan and other parts of the state,” he said.
Adesina called on the police to launch a manhunt for those responsible for the killing and investigate any individuals suspected of sponsoring the attack.
He said the party would cooperate with the police and support Adeyemo’s family, while pledging to ensure that those found culpable were brought to justice.
The APC also urged its members to maintain peace as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said he could not confirm the reported attack when contacted.
“I cannot confirm the attack,” Olayinka was quoted as saying.