By Our Correspondent

National News – The chairman of Owo Local Government Area, Mr Tope Omolayo, was on Monday assaulted and publicly humiliated by suspected thugs at the council secretariat in Ondo State.

The attack occurred shortly after he resumed duty following a six-month suspension imposed by councillors over alleged gross misconduct.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident happened in the morning when Omolayo arrived at the secretariat to reclaim his office.

The suspected thugs reportedly stormed the premises, blocked his entry, and engaged him in a heated confrontation that escalated into violence.

During the attack, the chairman was beaten severely, his clothes torn, and he was left nearly naked, creating panic across the council complex.

Witnesses said the situation quickly spiraled into chaos as workers and visitors fled for safety.

The attackers allegedly fired gunshots into the air, further heightening fear and confusion within the area.

The motive behind the assault remains unclear, but sources suggest it may be linked to lingering disputes between the chairman and elected councillors.

Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed it had deployed security personnel to restore order.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that officers were immediately dispatched on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.

Authorities say calm has since been restored, while investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Residents have been urged to remain law-abiding and continue their daily activities without fear.

Efforts to reach Omolayo for comments were unsuccessful as his phone line was switched off at the time of filing this report.