Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Gunmen have attacked the ancestral home of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, in Oja’gbo, Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the compound around 8pm on Thursday evening.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen arrived in 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles with covered number plates.
“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.
“They dispersed hundreds of us who were waiting for Senator Folarin with gunshots. God saved our lives,” an eyewitness said.
Folarin’s media aide, Com YSO Olaniyi confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday morning.
“At about 8:10pm on Thursday night, March 16, 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 said.
Olaniyi, who expressed concern about the safety of his principal, urged the police and the DSS to beef up security around the APC governorship candidate.
