Hoodlums attack politicians, set campaign vehicle ablaze in Ondo

Suspected political thugs on Wednesday night allegedly attacked two supporters of a House of Representatives aspirant, Olayato Aribo, and set his campaign vehicles on fire at Owo in Ondo state.

The attack was said to have taken place between 10pm and 11pm yesterday around the Post Office area of the town.

Aribo is seeking the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the seat of Owo/Ose federal constituency in next year’s National Assembly elections.

It was learnt that the two victims identified as Lanre Kako and Tope, were on their way home and stopped at the post office area to buy suya when the hoodlums appeared.

The thugs were said to have fired shots at the vehicle   but the occupants escaped.

They were said to have later set the vehicle ablaze.

“The two men were driving one campaign vehicle and they stopped to buy suya around the post office at Owo.

“But some guys came and shot at the vehicle. They had to run away but their attackers set the vehicle on fire.

“Those around put off the fire but these boys reinforced and came back to set the vehicle on fire again,” a source said.

Aribo told journalists on Thursday that the incident had been reported to the police.

The APC aspirant, who said he did not suspect anybody, added: “We’ve reported to the police. Police were invited and they witnessed the burning of the bus.

“It is now left for the police to investigate and take action. For now, we don’t suspect anybody. We will forward a petition to the State Commissioner of Police and the state governor.

“I am sure the governor will not be happy about this. And I am sure he also will investigate and find out the cause of the attack.”

Calling on security agents to find out the attackers and get them punished to serve as a deterrent to others, Aribo advised politicians to always have the spirit of sportsmanship.

“The first thing I did was to call my supporters and those boys that were there that they should keep calm.

“If the attack came from my political opponents, my advice is that this is not the way to do it. They should go out and campaign in order to win,” he said.