Two Dead, Five Injured As APC Congress Turns Bloody In Ondo

Pandemonium broke loose in Ondo State on Wednesday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Idanre descended into bloody crisis, leaving two people dead and several others wounded in a shocking outbreak of violence.

The mayhem happened at Odode-Idanre, the headquarters of Idanre Local Government Area, during the party’s ward congresses held across its 203 wards in the state.

What should have been a routine party exercise quickly turned into a scene of gunfire, machete attacks and a burning vehicle.

The crisis is believed to be a spillover from Tuesday’s disruption at the APC secretariat in Akure, where suspected hoodlums reportedly stormed a stakeholders’ meeting and assaulted party leaders.

Caught in the crossfire was Raphael Adetimehin, younger brother of the state caretaker chairman, Ade Adetimehin. According to reports, he was attacked after assailants allegedly mistook him for his brother because of their resemblance.

Eyewitnesses said gunshots rang out before he was hacked with machetes. His vehicle was allegedly set ablaze in the heat of the chaos. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Idanre in critical condition.

Blaming political rivals, Ade Adetimehin described the attack as targeted.

“They targeted my brother because they thought he was me. They shot him several times but bullets could not penetrate, so he was cut several times with a cutlass,” Adetimehin said.

A family source later hinted that Raphael may not have survived the brutal assault.

The source added that two other men, including one reportedly driving a Venza, were fatally shot during the unrest.

Their identities were yet to be officially confirmed.

The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the violence and the casualties.

“Three victims sustained varying degrees of injury and are currently receiving medical attention while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital,” the police public relations officer said.

Security chiefs, including the State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, and the NSCDC Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, stormed the area with a combined security team to restore order.

Investigations are ongoing as authorities move to identify and arrest those behind the deadly clash.