Hoodlums attack supporters of APC House of Reps aspirant in Ondo

ARMED men suspected to be political thugs on Wednesday night, attacked two supporters of a House of Representatives’ aspirants, under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), in Ondo state, Mr Olayato Aribo, setting one of his campaign vehicle ablaze.

The incident which happened around Post office area in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of the state, while the two men in the vehicle escaped unhurt.

According to a source, the two supporters, identified as Lanre Kako and Tope, were said to be on their way home after a political meeting when they decided to stop at the post office to buy suya.

The source explained that as soon as the two occupants were about to come down from the vehicles, the hoodlums opened fire on them and the vehicle while the two men took to their heels.

He said when the suspected thugs approached the vehicle and attempted to set the vehicle on fire which was resisted by some people but said the hoodlums mobilised themselves to the scene, shooting sporadically and set the vehicle on fire.

He said “The two men were driving one campaign vehicle and they stopped to buy suya around the post office at Owo. But some guys came and shot at the vehicle. They had to run away but their attackers set the vehicle on fire.

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“Those around put off the fire but these boys reinforced and came back with petrol to set the vehicle on fire again,” a source said.

Speaking on the development, the aspirant, Aribo, while addressing journalists on Thursday, said the incident had been reported to the police but said he did not suspect anybody, adding that: “We’ve reported to the police. Police were invited and they witnessed the burning of the bus.

“It is now left for the police to investigate and take action. For now, we don’t suspect anybody. We will forward a petition to the State Commissioner of Police and the state governor.

“I am sure the governor will not be happy about this. And I am sure he will also investigate and find the cause of the attack.”

Calling on the security agents to find out the attackers and get them punished to serve as a deterrent to others, Aribo advised to always have the spirit of sportsmanship.

“The first thing I did was to call my supporters and those boys that were there that they should keep calm.

“If the attack came from my political opponents, my advice is that this is not the way to do it. They should go out and campaign in order to win,” he said.

Confirming the development, the State Police Public Relations Office (PPRO), Femi Joseph, who described the attack as barbaric, said the case has been reported at the police station in Owo.

Joseph, however, said some suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack but failed to reveal the number of the suspects

He said “we have arrested some suspects and investigation is ongoing. The perpetrators will be brought to book soon”