Thugs Attack Ondo LG Chairman at Council Office
By Victor Idajili
The Chairman of Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, Tope Omolayo, was reportedly attacked and stripped by suspected thugs on Monday following a yet-to-be-disclosed disagreement.
Reports indicate that Omolayo, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had previously been suspended by councillors over allegations of misconduct, with tensions already high between him and members of the council before his suspension.
After several months away from office, he reportedly returned to the council secretariat on Monday to resume duties. However, shortly after his arrival, a group of youths alleged to be thugs stormed the premises and confronted him.
An eyewitness said the situation quickly escalated when the group attempted to prevent him from accessing his office. The confrontation reportedly turned violent, with the chairman beaten and his clothes torn, leaving him exposed in public. The scene caused panic, forcing workers and visitors to flee, while reports also indicated that gunshots were fired into the air during the chaos.
The Ondo State Police Command confirmed the incident and said it had deployed officers to the area immediately after receiving the report.
Police spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, ordered a swift deployment of personnel and operational equipment to restore order at the secretariat.
He added that calm had been restored and that investigations had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
