Police in Osun State have foiled an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign, Hon. Oluwole Oke, following the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of a loaded Beretta pistol during a political gathering in Ipetu-Ijesa.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Osogbo, where he reaffirmed the Command's commitment to combating political violence, cultism, and other criminal activities ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
Addressing journalists, the Police Commissioner said the briefing was aimed at keeping members of the public informed on the Command's sustained operational efforts to maintain peace and ensure the security of lives and property across the state.
According to him, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, when Hon. Oluwole Oke, alongside other APC members, visited the palace of the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba (Dr.) Agunbiade Oke, before proceeding to the town hall to hold a political meeting with party supporters.
The police said trouble began shortly after the meeting as the entourage attempted to leave the venue.
"Shortly after the meeting, a group of individuals suspected to be political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity allegedly blocked the exit route of the visiting entourage," the Commissioner stated.
He alleged that one of the suspects, identified as 24-year-old Olamilekan Oriyomi, produced an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and was allegedly about to aim the weapon at Hon. Oke before he was swiftly intercepted by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on security duty at the venue.
The prompt intervention by the DPO and other police officers deployed to provide security reportedly prevented what authorities described as a possible assassination attempt, although the development briefly caused panic among those present.
Police officers immediately arrested Oriyomi and recovered the firearm and four live rounds of ammunition, while several other suspects reportedly fled the scene.
The Commissioner revealed that following intensified intelligence-led investigations by the Command's Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), two additional suspects were arrested on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Ipetu-Ijesa.
The suspects were identified as Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo, 44, and Fakinleye Femi, 31.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that Oriyomi confessed to obtaining the firearm from one Busuyi Akinwole Ikupolati, also known as "Omo-Akin," who remains at large.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the prime suspect had made statements implicating other influential individuals, who are currently under investigation.
He assured that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and uncover the full circumstances surrounding the alleged plot.
CP Gotan reiterated that the Osun State Police Command would not tolerate political violence or any act capable of disrupting public peace before, during, and after the forthcoming elections.
He warned that anyone found engaging in criminal activities, regardless of status or political affiliation, would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner also appealed to residents of Osun State to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue to support security agencies by providing credible and actionable intelligence that could assist in preventing crime.
He reaffirmed the Command's determination to sustain intelligence-driven policing aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure, and conducive environment throughout the election period.
The police urged political actors and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and avoid actions capable of undermining the state's security, stressing that maintaining peace remains a collective responsibility.
