The controversy surrounding an alleged sporadic firing of gunshots, which led to the killing of two civilians at Ikire community in Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, South-West Nigeria has taken a new dimension as the lawmaker representing Osun West Senatorial District, Olalere Oyewumi denied link with one of suspects arrested by the Police.
Similarly, the driver of the vehicle, whose passenger was killed during the incident, Isiaka Idowu alleged that the gunshot that killed the deceased came from the Police Hilux patrol van at the junction of Naira and Kobo, in Ikire.
The newly appointed Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, listed the four suspects, found to have been involved in the incident.
Crisis erupted at the Ikire garage on Monday during an attempt to take control of the facility, resulting in the alleged snatching of an AK-47 rifle from a policeman, where two people were killed, while three security operatives sustained gunshot injuries.
CP Zungura while briefing journalists in Osogbo said one of the suspects identified as Ayewo subsequently used the stolen rifle to shoot sporadically, hitting three policemen and two passers-by.
Another suspect, Sikiru Adedeji, allegedly mentioned Senator Oyewumi as the person who mobilised the group involved in the attack.
However, while addressing a media conference organised for the families of the victims in Osogbo, Senator Oyewumi denied any link with the arrested suspects, most especially one Ayewo, who is still at large, accusing the Police of bias in its investigation.
The Ikire killing incident also comes against the backdrop of heightened political tensions in Osun State following the recently concluded Governorship election won by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
