By Friday Temitope Eugenia | National News

The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Asejoorin, in connection with gunshots fired during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa on Saturday.

The incident reportedly left at least four people injured, including a 14-year-old boy, identified as Ilesanmi, who was hit by a stray bullet in the thigh.

The violence reportedly occurred when APC supporters attending the rally were allegedly attacked by some chieftains of the Accord Party, resulting in sporadic gunshots in parts of Ilesa.

An eyewitness, Kola Adeoti, said the 14-year-old victim was at his mother’s shop when he was struck by the bullet.

According to Adeoti, personnel of a security outfit in the state who accompanied the Accord chieftains allegedly opened fire at APC supporters, triggering tension and protests in the area.

The injured victims were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment. No death had been reported as of the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said police operatives moved swiftly to the scene after receiving the report.

He said the area was cordoned off and some exhibits, including spent cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps, were recovered.

Ojelabi also confirmed the arrest of Asejoorin, saying the commissioner was taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation.

“Mr Asejoorin was arrested at the scene and has been taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” the police spokesperson said.

The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.