Many people were injured when gunmen reportedly stormed the ancestral home of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sen. Teslim Folarin.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen invaded Oja’gbo in Ibadan South East Local Government Area in 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles with covered number plates around 8pm on Thursday.
The eyewitnesses said: “We escaped death by whiskers but several of us sustained varying degrees of injuries as we scampered for safety.
“The gunmen were wearing black dresses with face masks. They were shouting ‘where is Folarin, iku lokan E (It is your turn to die) while shooting sporadically. They burgled Oja’gbo Palace in search of Oloye.
“They dispersed hundreds of us who were waiting for Senator Folarin with gunshots. God saved our lives.”
Folarin’s media aide, Yekini Olaniyi confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday morning.
He said: “Around 8:10pm on Thursday, March 16, a group of gunmen numbering about 30 driving in a motorcade of 10 vehicles, stormed the ancestral home of Senator Teslim Folarin with a mission to terminate his life.”
“They thought Oloye Folarin would be there at that particular time to carry out the assassination. Senator Folarin was billed to have a meeting with his kinsmen at his Oja’gbo Palace last night but could not make it due to extended interactive session with Oyo State stakeholders at YES FM Media House.”
“You know Oloye Folarin is Mogaji of his family compound, Ile Baale in Oja’gbo area of Ibadan and Asaaju Olubadan of Ibadanland. He had a scheduled meeting with his family members at his Palace but could not make it. The unknown gunmen thought Oloye would be at the meeting to carry out the assassination plan but thank God for his life.”
“We have informed the security agencies to investigate the incident, promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.”
When contacted, Oyo Police spokesman, Adewale Osifeso promised to get back soon.
He was yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
