—-Police say thugs, not robbers, responsible

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Peace has returned to Akure after suspected political thugs fired shots during the All Progressives Congress Central Senatorial primary, sparking panic across parts of the Ondo State capital.

The incident occurred at Ward 5, Ebenezer African Church Primary School, Amudipe Street, Akure. Party leaders, residents, motorists, and traders fled for safety as sporadic gunshots rang out.

The gunfire initially caused confusion, with many mistaking it for a robbery attack.

Recall that the false alarm spread quickly, forcing business owners to shut shops and commuters to abandon the area.

A local said ” I was inside my shop when people started running and shouting that robbers had entered Akure.

“Everyone immediately locked up and fled because nobody knew exactly what was happening,” a trader at Okelisa market said.

Reacting the state Police Command image maker DSP Jimoh Abayomi clarified that the incident was not a robbery but was linked to suspected political thugs.

Abayomi said “The Ondo State Police Command wishes to debunk reports making the rounds regarding an alleged armed robbery incident in Akure.

” Preliminary findings and credible intelligence indicate that the incident was not a robbery attack as speculated, but rather activities involving suspected thugs, which resulted in sporadic gunshots.

Abayomi said the situation had been brought under control and urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.

A visit to major parts of Akure showed normal activities had resumed as commercial transport operators returned to the roads, and traders reopened shops.

Security operatives were also stationed around the Ondo Central collation centre at St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure, as party officials continued collation under tight surveillance.

The police appealed to the public to provide information on the incident through the nearest police station or official emergency channels.End