The Chairman of Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Tope Omolayo, was on Monday reportedly assaulted and stripped by suspected thugs at the council secretariat following an undisclosed dispute.
Omolayo, who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, had earlier been suspended by councillors over allegations of gross misconduct.
It was gathered that the chairman, who recently returned to office after about six months of suspension, was attacked shortly after arriving at the secretariat to resume duties.
Sources within the council disclosed that tensions had lingered between the chairman and some elected councillors prior to the incident.
An eyewitness said the situation degenerated into violence when suspected thugs stormed the premises in an attempt to prevent him from accessing his office.
“They beat him mercilessly, tore his clothes and left him almost completely naked. It was an embarrassment. The entire secretariat went into commotion as people were running for safety while the thugs fired shots into the air,” the eyewitness stated.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the command promptly deployed operatives to the scene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, ordered immediate intervention, which helped restore calm in the area.
“The attention of the Command was drawn to this report. Upon receipt, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, promptly ordered the immediate deployment of security personnel and operational assets to the scene.
“This swift response has successfully restored calm and normalcy in the area.
“Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and to bring all involved to justice,” he said.
Jimoh urged residents to remain peaceful and go about their lawful activities without fear, assuring that those responsible for the attack would be apprehended.
Efforts to reach Omolayo for comment were unsuccessful as his telephone line was not reachable at the time of filing this report.
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