THISDAY

Police Arrest Politician Fingered in Shooting at Ekiti APC Rally

Party alleges police complicity, suspends rallies Akeredolu denies involvemen­t I’m recuperati­ng, not in coma, says Bamidele

- Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti (See concluding part on www.thisdayliv­e.com)

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested a politician (names withheld) who brought the policeman that fired the shot at the rally organised by All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) for Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Friday.

Bamidele and five others were shot at the A PC Secretaria­t located at Ajilosun area of Ado Ekitidurin ga welcome rally organised for Fayemi, the APC candidate for the Ekiti governorsh­ip poll billed for July 14.

Bamidele, who was shot in the stomach, and those that were hit are currently receiving medical treatments in the hospital.

In a statement issued by the State Public Relations Officer, Caleb Ikechukwu in Ado Ekiti yesterday, the Police admitted that the policeman accidental­ly shot Hon Op eye mi B amide le and five others at the rally.

Ikechukwu however refused to mention the name of the politician in their custody. The police spokesman also claimed that only two persons were shot contrary to the A PC’ s position that six victims were involved.

The PPRO said: “The policeman is attached to 20 PMF, Ikeja, Lag os State where he was posted on bank guard duties somewhere in Ikeja. The policeman came on illegal duty to Ekiti State.

“A politician, who conspired and removed the said police man from where he was posted by his squadron Commander and came to Ado-Ekiti with him for an unofficial reason, has also been arrested.”

Ikechukwu said the victims of the policemen’s accidental discharge are currently responding to treatment at the hospital, while the injured officer is equally responding to treatment in protective custody.

Meanwhile, governor Ake re do lu of On do State has denied having anything to do with the shooting at the APC rally in Ekiti on Friday; while responding to allegation­s made by the campaign organisati­on of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Kola po O lu sol a, linking him with the shooting which left five people injured with bullet wounds.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, said none of his security aides fired a shot at the scene as being alleged. The statement said the allegation­s by the PDP campaign were malicious, as the governor was only in Ekiti to give support to F aye mi .“Governor Ake red o lu knew nothing about the identity of the suspect. It is nothing but a wicked lie from the pit of hell,” the statement said.

“Governor Akeredolu was in Ekiti State to show support for the APC and its candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and none of the governor’s security detail fired a single shot throughout the rally in Ekiti.

“Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Police PPRO, Caleb Ikechukwu, has disclosed that the policeman who handled the rifle was hired from Lagos. We hope this will put to rest dangerous allegation .”

The PDP campaign organisati­on had earlier claimed that Ake red oluw as mobil is in gt hugs and funds to Ekiti State to help win the election for Fayemi.

The statement denied that allegation­s that the governor was earmarking funds for the Ekiti election.

In a related developmen­t, the Ekiti State chapter of the APC yesterday blamed the shooting of five of its members, including Bamidele at the rally organised for Fayemi, on security lapses.

The party has also suspended electionee­ring campaign until the security agencies are able to guarantee their safety as they proceed to the July 14 election.

The party, through its State Chairman, Chief J idea we alleged that the police were complicit in many ways, including allowing a policeman from another state to provide security at the campaign rally.

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