5th of February, 2025, will forever be remembered as a black day in the annals of Ilesa West. Armed thugs under the leadership of Mr. Tobi Famurewa, the APC chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming local government election, launched a gruesome and barbaric attack on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a peaceful rally. This violent assault is nothing short of a declaration of war on democracy and the fundamental rights of our people.
Our members, including Hon. Owopetu Zachariah and Chibuzoh, were brutally attacked and left in critical condition. Several others were mercilessly injured in a coordinated onslaught by this bloodthirsty gang. The perpetrators of this heinous act include, but are not limited to, Tobi Famurewa, Ojo Agboola, Sesan Alaafin, Rasheed Saheed, Ali Dodo, E-Momey Nafisat Ọmọle, Awe Mayowa (Apase), Ṣola “Solebo,” Ali Crosser, Tope Alajue, and Sodiq Ogundare. Shockingly, these criminals still walk freely on the streets of Ilesa, emboldened by the complicity and negligence of law enforcement agencies.
It is deeply troubling that while law-abiding citizens suffer at the hands of these thugs, the police in Ilesa West—particularly the Area Commander and the Ayeso DPO—seem to have turned a blind eye to this atrocity. This blatant dereliction of duty has led to the perception that the Nigerian police, instead of upholding justice, are colluding with the APC to terrorize our members.
We are outraged by the audacity of Tobi Famurewa and his gang, who have publicly boasted of their immunity from justice, claiming the protection of the police. This claim appears valid, as the police have failed to make even a single arrest since this barbaric incident occurred. Such inaction is not only unacceptable but also a betrayal of the mandate to serve and protect the people.
Let it be known that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. The PDP Youth Wing in Ilesa West refuses to be silenced in the face of oppression and impunity. Our members have endured too much under the APC’s reign of terror, and this madness must end now!
We are calling on the Osun State Commissioner of Police to take immediate and decisive action. The Area Commander and the Ayeso DPO must be held accountable for their failure to act. The perpetrators of this crime must be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted without delay. We will not accept any attempt to sweep this matter under the rug or shield these criminals from justice.
If the police, who are sworn to protect us, continue to fail in their duties, we may be left with no choice but to explore every legal means to defend ourselves and our members. We do not want to embrace jungle justice, but we will not sit idly while our lives and rights are trampled upon.
We also call on all law enforcement agencies , civil society organizations and the general public to join us in demanding justice. The culture of violence and impurity must be eradicated from our democracy.
Justice delayed is justice denied. We will not rest until justice is served.
