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How heavy gunshots marred APC congresses in Osun, Ogun; Minister, Senator, Aregbesola’s faction flee

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There was pandemonium on Saturday as heavy gunshots ripped through the All Progressives Congress (APC) party congresses in held respectively in Osun and Ogun States.

Our correspondent reported that about a dozen gunmen invaded the Ake Palace Ground in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, venue of the parallel congress of an APC group loyal to the former governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Dignitaries such as the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Tolu Odebiyi were already at the venue when the gunmen struck.

Also, the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the state’s 2019 election, Adekunle Akinlade, was present as the gunmen invaded the venue.

Report by our correspondent, however, showed that the three escaped unhurt while many others sustained different degrees of injury.

Eyewitnesses who identified some of the gunmen said their leader was the head of the state’s Transport Union.

The hoodlums, who appeared in a commando style, started firing sporadically at the venue of the Congress causing panic and forcing many to scamper for safety.

The invading mob also destroyed several vehicles parked at the venue of the vent.

An eyewitness reported that men of the Ogun State Police Command deployed to the venue did not move a muscle to while the mayhem lasted.

As soon as the thugs left the venue, those present reportedly attacked the security operatives whom they accused of connivance.

The police officers, however, started shooting into the air and also released tear gas to wade off the angry mob.

In Osun State, the story was not much different as heavy gunshots sent the faction loyal to the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, holding a parallel Congress fleeing.

There was palpable tension at the Ogo-Oluwa area via Ladsol where the Congress was holding on Saturday.

The loyalists, under the auspices of a group called The Osun Progressives (TOP), gathered to endorsed the Caretaker Secretary of the party, Hon Rasaq Salinsile as chairman.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), who were also at the venue, fired shots into the air to prevent the thugs from invading the premises.

The incident, which happened around 1pm, caused pandemonium in the areas as party members too to their heels.

It was gathered that scores of party members were injured during the pandemonium.

The two incidences were not different from the APC congress held in Okrika, Rivers State.

A video published by News.band showed how rapid gunfire disrupted the congress on Saturday.

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