The Osun State Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, has regained his freedom after spending almost 24 hours in police detention over the shooting incident that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa, Osun State.
Adejoorin was released on Sunday by the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force after he was arrested in connection with the incident, which left three people injured, including a 14-year-old boy, Tobi Ilesanmi.
The commissioner was reportedly arrested on Saturday after police operatives intercepted his vehicle while responding to a distress call over the shooting around the Isokun area of Ilesa.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was released after questioning, adding that the investigation into the incident was still ongoing.
“The commissioner has been released. He was released today but the Amotekun that was arrested with him, I can’t confirm his release yet because I am still gathering my facts,” Ojelabi said.
According to the police spokesman, three people were injured during the shooting and were taken to different hospitals for treatment.
Ojelabi alleged that some Amotekun personnel were involved in the incident, saying they were conveyed in a vehicle bearing an official Osun State Government number plate.
He said police operatives recovered four expended cartridges at the scene, while a pump-action rifle was also recovered from an Amotekun operative arrested in connection with the incident.
The police spokesman explained that the commissioner was taken to the command headquarters in Osogbo because investigators wanted to establish his level of involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, the APC Campaign Council in Ilesa West and the Accord Party have traded accusations over the shooting.
The Head of the APC Campaign Council in Ilesa West, Folarin Fafowora, alleged that the shooting occurred as the party’s rally was nearing its conclusion, claiming that armed personnel attached to an official vehicle opened fire.
However, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, accused APC members of shooting during the rally and destroying properties belonging to Accord Party members.
