Gunmen Kill Reinstated Irewole Council Chairman, Remi Abass, in Osun State Attack

Gunmen have killed Remi Abass, the recently reinstated Chairman of Irewole Local Government in Osun State. The incident occurred on Monday when Abass arrived at the local government secretariat with his supporters, only to be ambushed by armed assailants believed to be thugs.

In response to the violence, security forces, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), have made several arrests of individuals suspected to have played a role in the unrest. However, attempts to reach the Osun State Police spokesperson, SP Opalola Yemisi, for comment were unsuccessful as she did not respond to calls or messages.

This development comes amid political tensions in the state. Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had recently raised concerns about an alleged plot by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to instigate unrest. Adeleke accused Oyetola of unlawfully directing security operatives to facilitate the return of sacked local government chairmen, an action he claimed could lead to chaos in the state.

Governor Adeleke, in a press conference on Sunday, alleged that Oyetola was using his connection to President Bola Tinubu to orchestrate these illegal moves in collaboration with state security officials. He emphasized that such actions, if carried out, could lead to bloodshed and instability in Osun State. The governor further clarified that the chairmen in question had been removed by court orders before he assumed office and rejected claims that his administration was responsible for their dismissal.

Adeleke called for intervention from President Tinubu and the public, warning that failure to address the situation could result in the abuse of power and further destabilization of the state.