OYO State Police command has arrested nine suspects, including a female, in connection with the killing of a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mudashiru Baraka.
The PUNCH reports that Baraka was allegedly killed by rival political thugs on Wednesday morning in Oyo town.
Baraka, a PDP grassroots mobiliser in the town, was macheted to death by his assailants at his family compound in Oyo East Local Government Area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the arrest, adding that, “Preliminary investigation has it that the deceased was attacked by hoodlums who he had hitherto engaged him in a heated argument.”
Meanwhile, the state chapter of PDP, in a statement, accused the All Progressives Congress of allegedly being responsible for the dastardly act.
A statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Akeem Olatunji, read, “The late Baraka who was from Ward 4 Tengba, Oyo East Local Government had gone to his family house in the spirit of the Yuletide to celebrate with his parents on Wednesday morning.
“The PDP members who were witnesses present at the scene of the event told the party that the deceased was waylaid and threatened by notorious thugs who are APC supporters led by their gang leader after which the deceased reported the threats to Operation Burst in the area.
“The security personnel of Operation Burst were said to have accompanied the deceased back to his family house to effect necessary security action but the assailants have absconded.
“After personnel of Operation Burst had departed the area, the assailants, however, returned more viciously and aggressively to the family house of the deceased where he was murdered in cold blood.
“It is very unfortunate that despite the peace accord APC jointly entered into alongside other political parties in the state ahead of the 2023 general elections, the opposition party has continued in its sustained and coordinated attacks against our members in its usual manner.”
Also in its reaction through the Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC condemned what it described as the ruling party’s penchant for playing politics with issues relating to the security of lives and property in the state.
Sadare said, “Oyo town is not a recluse as it populated by good people who lived in peace and tranquillity until the present PDP administration of Governor Seyi Makinde came with its mission of domestic terrorism.
“For the avoidance of doubt, some leaders of our great party, APC were in Oyo town to welcome some defectors from the PDP, Accord and other parties. The ceremony went well and everybody present, including some of our candidates and leaders as well as party supporters, enjoyed the atmosphere which was devoid of violence or tension.”
Osifeso in a text message forwarded to The PUNCH said, “There was an unfortunate case of random violence that led to the death of one Hakeem Mudashiru ‘m’ 40 years reported by the father of the deceased, one Jimoh Agala at Durbar Divisional Police Headquarters, Oyo State on Wednesday, at about 1.35pm.
“Preliminary investigation has it that the deceased was attacked by hoodlums who he had hitherto engaged him in a heated argument.
“At the moment, nine suspects, including a female have been apprehended in conjunction with the case, which is currently being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
