Two people were reportedly shot d3ad, while three others sustained injuries when violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in the Idanre local government area of Ondo State.
Some armed men suspected to be political thugs invaded the town on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and moved to the Commercial Road and Onibata area, while the congress was ongoing and started shooting sporadically into the air.
Residents and party members were said to have scampered for safety as gunmen created panic across the community, while two persons were reportedly hit during the shooting.
A source within the town explained that the immediate younger brother of the state APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, identified as Raphael was shot by the hoodlums.
It was gathered that Raphael who was on his way to Idanre to participate in the ward congress ran into the political thugs who mistook him for the APC Chairman and attacked him.
“He was shot severally and when they noticed that the bullets were not penetrating into his body, they dragged him down from his vehicle and matcheted him.
“They left him in his pool of blood and set his vehicle on fire and we immediately rushed him to the hospital,” he said.
Confirming the attack, the APC Chairman, Adetimehin, who was reportedly assaulted at the party secretariat on Tuesday, said his brother was attacked and injured by the political thugs on his way to Idanre.
He condemned the attack and lamented over the growing political tension in the state, saying politics should not be a do or d!e affairs and called on the security to the community to restore maintain law and order.
In response to the situation, police personnel have been deployed to the area to help douse tensions and restore order as the situation continues to unfold.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, led a team of policemen to the community to assess the situation, saying the command has been able to restore order in the town, while investigation has begun into the violent attack.
However, the Police command in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed that the violent attack claimed two lives and left three others injured.
According to the PPRO, a distress call was received from the Divisional Police Officer in Idanre at about 11:05 am reporting violent acts carried out by a group of individuals.
The report prompted an immediate operational response.
He said the Commissioner of Police swiftly deployed tactical teams to reinforce security in the area while he also personally led a combined team of security operatives to the scene alongside the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oluyemi Ibiloye.
“The timely intervention of the Police restored peace and order in the affected area.
During the incident, five persons were reportedly attacked, and a vehicle was set ablaze,” he said.
“Three victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment, while two others were confirmed d3ad at the hospital. The Commissioner of Police visited the injured victims and assured them of the Command’s support.”
The Command said investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and to apprehend those responsible.
He added that as part of efforts to prevent further breakdown of law and order, additional tactical teams have been deployed to secure the area and its environs.
The police urged residents of Ondo State to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place to maintain peace and stability across the state.
