Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Thursday night attacked the family house of the Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin in the Oja’gbo area of Ibadan, the state capital.
Several persons were reportedly injured during the attack. It was gathered that the attackers arrived at the house in about 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles with covered number plates some minutes past 8:00p.m.
The Independent quoted a survivor of the attack whose identity was not disclosed as saying, “We escaped death by whiskers but several of us sustained varying degrees of injuries as we scampered for safety.
“The gunmen were wearing black dresses with face masks. They were shouting ‘Where is Folarin, iku lokan e (It is your turn to die) while shooting sporadically. They burgled Oja’gbo Palace, in search of Oloye (Chief).
“They dispersed hundreds of us who were waiting for Senator Folarin with gunshots. God saved our lives.”
Confirming the attack, Senator Folarin’s media aide, Com. Y. S. O. Olaniyi, reportedly said on Friday morning, “At about 8:10pm on Thursday night, March 16th, a group of gunmen numbering about 30 driving in a motorcade of 10 vehicles, stormed the ancestral home of Senator Teslim Folarin with a mission to terminate his life.
“They thought Oloye Folarin would be there at that particular time to carry out the assassination. Senator Folarin was billed to have a meeting with his kinsmen at his Oja’gbo Palace last night but could not make it due to extended interactive session with Oyo State stakeholders at YES FM Media House.
“You know Oloye Folarin is Mogaji of his family compound, Ile Baale in Oja’gbo area of Ibadan and Asaaju Olubadan of Ibadanland. He had a scheduled meeting with his family members at his Palace but could not make it. The unknown gunmen thought Oloye would be at the meeting to carry out the assassination plan but thank God for his life.
“We have informed the security agencies to investigate the incident, promptly apprehend the sponsors and their agents and bring them to justice.”
Olaniyi expressed concern over Folarin’s safety and called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to beef up security around the APC governorship candidate to ensure his safety during and after Saturday’s governorship election.
SaharaReporters
