An Accord Party member has allegedly been killed by suspectedTmwy political thugs in Osun State, barely 24 hours before the state’s governorship election.
The incident reportedly occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Friday in Omi Eran Atijo community, Osun State. 
According to sources familiar with the incident, the victim was allegedly chased by a group of suspected assailants before he was caught and killed.
A video circulating in connection with the incident purportedly shows the body of the deceased lying in a drainage channel, surrounded by blood.
The development has heightened concerns over the security situation in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with residents expressing fears of possible political violence.
A source in the community alleged that security personnel deployed to the area had failed to respond adequately to growing concerns over the activities of suspected political thugs.
The source said the situation had created fear among residents and supporters of opposition parties ahead of the election.
A relative of the deceased, who spoke on the incident, described the killing as devastating, saying the victim was a family man with a wife and children.
“I’m not okay as I am speaking to you. The man they killed was very close to me. They killed him, and he had a wife and children,” the relative said.
The incident has further raised concerns among residents and political stakeholders, who have called on security agencies to investigate the killing, identify those responsible and ensure that they are prosecuted.
They also urged security agencies to intensify patrols and take immediate measures to prevent further violence in the community and other parts of the state before, during and after the election.
Controversy over APC candidate’s arrest
The alleged killing comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State following the reported arrest of Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West State Constituency.
Komolafe was reportedly arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Navy in his hometown, Ifewara, after he was allegedly found in possession of a firearm.
However, sources claimed that the APC candidate was later released following what they described as “orders from above.”
The sources further alleged that the Naval Commander who ordered the arrest was subsequently redeployed after the incident attracted public attention.
“The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed.
“When the news went viral, those from above became agitated and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat,” a source alleged.
Another source claimed that Komolafe was released following intervention from senior authorities.
“They have freed the House of Assembly candidate, Komolafe, based on orders from those high up. After the report went viral, instead of taking action, they let Komolafe go while the Naval officer who stood up to the occasion was punished,” the source alleged.
The circumstances surrounding both the reported killing and the alleged firearm incident could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
With voters expected to go to the polls on Saturday, stakeholders have urged security agencies to remain neutral and ensure adequate protection for voters, candidates and residents across the state.
