The sleepy community of Igangan, in Atakumosa East Local Council Development Area of Osun State has been thrown into serious turmoil following a political crisis that engulfed the area.
DAILY POST reports that scores of suspected political thugs, armed with dangerous weapons reportedly invaded Igangan on Sunday night, February 17, 2019 and started unleashing terror on the people.
According to the monarch of the town, Oba Adetomiwa Thomas Akanni, the assailants numbering about 9 from a neighbouring town, attacked the Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Segun Agbara, in which his house and car were set ablaze.
The traditional ruler explained that the attack on the APC chieftain triggered a reprisal from APC members in the town, who went on rampage and eventually razed a building belonging to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, women leader, Mrs Muibat Salawu, and three other apartments owned by members of PDP.
He expressed sadness over the incident, saying he has never witnessed such crisis since he ascended the throne about 32 years ago.
Speaking in the same vein, a palace Chief, High Chief Obasola Olalere, said “we heard those who invaded our community were cultists from a neighbouring town of Iwara.
“Our hunters could not face them because of the sophistication of their weapons “.
When our Correspondent visited the town on Thursday, the PDP women leader, whose house was also razed, recounted her ordeal, saying” It was about 8pm on Sunday when we started hearing gun shots. I was with my children at home when I saw the house of my brother, Chief Agbara, who is a Chairman of APC already on fire.
“I received a call that I should run away. I was escaping through the bush, together with my children when I heard them saying that my house should be razed.
“I discovered that the callous act was a retaliation by APC members. I am a Chief in the palace, I am the leader of fruit sellers and I am also the leader of Muslim women in the town. I had monies kept with me by those groups I led. I have N5 million cash, aside 200 gallons of palm oil, motorcycle and a drum of honey. They stole my son’s laptop, broke the box and took money before they set the house on fire.
In her reaction, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Abiodun Ige, said all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful conduct of election in the area on Saturday.
The CP, who said the police had not made any arrest, asserted that investigations are going on to get to the root of the matter and make culprits to face the wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje said the police and other security agencies have given the commission assurance that election would hold in the area.
He said he met with security chiefs on Tuesday and they promised to lead staff of INEC to the area on Friday.
“Security agencies working in the state have assured us that we are safe to conduct election in the area. They said they are in control and election should go on.”
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