The Oyo State Police commando arrested nine suspects, including a woman, in connection with the murder of a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the state, Mudashiru Baraka.
PUNCH Subway reports that Baraka was allegedly assassinated by rival political thugs on Wednesday morning in Oyo Town.
Baraka, a grassroots PDP activist in the city, was hacked to death by his assailants at his family’s compound in the Oyo East local government area of the state.
State police public relations officer Adewale Osifeso confirmed the arrest, adding that “pPreliminary investigation says the deceased was attacked by thugs who had been in a heated argument up to that point.”
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the PDP accused the Congress of All Progressives of being responsible for the dastardly act in a statement.
A statement from his publicity secretary, Akeem Olatunji, alleged that APC was behind the attack, adding that, “The late Baraka, who was from Tengba District 4, Oyo East Local Government had gone to his family home in the spirit of Christmas to celebrate with their parents on Wednesday morning.
“PDP members who are witnesses present at the scene told the party that the deceased was assaulted and threatened by notorious APC supporter thugs led by their gang leader popularly known as ‘Ade Ilaka’ after which the deceased denounced the threats. to Operation Burst in the area.
“Operation Ráfaga security personnel were said to have accompanied the deceased back to his family home to take the necessary security measures, but the assailants fled.
“After Operation Ráfaga personnel left the area, the assailants, however, returned with more viciousness and aggressiveness to the deceased’s family home, where he was murdered in cold blood.
“It is very unfortunate that despite the peace agreement that APC signed together with other political parties in the state before the 2023 general elections, the opposition party has continued its sustained and coordinated attacks against our members in the usual way.
“We are aware that these attacks are fully sanctioned and endorsed by certain people, including some of the APC candidates who are not only desperate to win the 2023 election by hook or crook, but will do so at any cost. ”.
Also in its reaction through the secretary of publicity, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC condemned what it described as “the inclination of the ruling party to engage in politics with issues related to the security of life and property in the state.
“Oyo Town is not a recluse as it is populated by good people living in peace and quiet until the current PDP administration of Governor Seyi Makinde came along with their mission of domestic terrorism.
“For the avoidance of doubt, some leaders of our big party APC were in Oyo Town to receive some defectors from the PDP, Accord and other parties. The ceremony went well and everyone present, including some of our candidates and leaders, as well as party supporters, enjoyed an atmosphere free of violence or tension.
“We are not aware of any violent attacks recorded yesterday in Oyo Town and as such we urge the state police command to investigate the complaint in order to establish the fact and punish the culprits, in particular those who make false accusations against our party.” Sadare said.
The state police spokesman, Osifeso, in a text sent to PUNCH Subway He said: “There was an unfortunate case of random violence leading to the death of one Hakeem Mudashiru ‘m’ aged 40 reported by the father of the deceased, one Jimoh Agala at Durbar Police Headquarters, Oyo State. , today Wednesday, December 12, 2022 at approximately 1:35 p.m. (01:35 a.m. local time)
“The preliminary investigation says that the deceased was attacked by thugs who had been in a heated argument up to that point.
“At the moment, nine suspects, including a woman, have been detained in connection with the case, which is currently being handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
“Lastly, extensive deployments of police officers have been sent to the area to prevent a further breakdown of law and order. Updates will be provided accordingly, please.” Added the PPRO.
