PDP Chieftain Killed In Suspected Reprisal Attack In Ibadan

A chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Elder Owolabi Adubi, popularly known as Baba Owo in political circles, was killed in a suspected reprisal attack in Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Three other people were reportedly abducted after sustaining serious injuries when gunmen and other assailants armed with dangerous weapons invaded a political meeting in Ward 4, Ogbere-Tioya, on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.

Among those abducted was Mustapha Tunde Shola, the personal assistant (PA) to Elder Owolabi, and his driver, who reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and were taken away by the hoodlums; their whereabouts could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

Preliminary accounts suggest that the attack may be connected to an ongoing power struggle involving factions within the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Oyo State Park Management System, and Adubi was reportedly believed to have been backing one of the rival factions, although the motive for the attack had yet to be independently confirmed.

The incident has thrown Owolabi’s family members and political associates into mourning, amid growing concerns over political violence in the area.

The attack came after suspected hoodlums reportedly invaded the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign office in Badeku, Ward 8 of Ona-Ara Local Government Area, the previous Monday, leaving several party supporters seriously injured.

The two incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of political stakeholders and party supporters in the area, as tensions linked to political and transport union rivalries continue to raise security concerns.

Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola