A 40-year-old man, identified as Azeez Tajudeen, has died following an attack on supporters of the Accord governorship candidate in Oyo State, Oriyomi Hamzat, during a welcome procession in Ibadan.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the death on Thursday, saying the incident occurred around the Molete area of Ibadan on Wednesday as supporters gathered to welcome Hamzat home from the United Kingdom.
The police spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed in a statement that the group was allegedly attacked by suspected hoodlums shortly after leaving Molete while heading towards the Agidigbo office on Iwo Road.
According to Ayanlade, a complainant reported the incident to the police, stating that the attackers assaulted members of the procession during the movement.
He said Tajudeen, a native of Oke Amu in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, sustained a severe injury to his right eye during the attack.
The victim was immediately taken for medical attention and later transferred to the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, where he was examined and confirmed dead.
His remains have since been deposited in the hospital’s mortuary.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Abimbola Olugbenga, directed that the case be transferred to the command’s monitoring unit for further investigation.
The police said the investigation would seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify those responsible.
Ayanlade also urged political aspirants, party leaders and event organisers to notify the police command at least 48 hours before holding public gatherings.
He explained that advance notification would allow the police to make adequate security arrangements, protect participants and prevent possible breaches of public peace.
The incident comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the police reiterating the need for political gatherings to be conducted peacefully and with appropriate security measures in place.
The police have not announced any arrests in connection with the attack in the statement confirming Tajudeen’s death.
