By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Akure
Crisis erupted at Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday as the council chairman, Tope Omolayo, was allegedly manhandled following a lingering dispute with councillors.
Omolayo was reportedly attacked by suspected thugs, who tore his clothes and left him injured during the incident at the council secretariat.
The embattled chairman, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, had earlier been suspended by councillors over allegations of gross misconduct.
He was said to have returned to office on Monday after serving about six months of suspension, a move that reportedly sparked tension within the council.
Eyewitnesses said suspected thugs stormed the secretariat shortly after his arrival, attempting to prevent him from accessing his office, triggering a confrontation that escalated into violence.
“They beat him, tore his clothes and left him almost naked. The secretariat descended into chaos as people fled while shots were fired into the air,” a witness said.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed swift intervention to contain the situation and restore order.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, said personnel were immediately deployed on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.
Jimoh added that investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure those responsible are prosecuted.
Efforts to reach Omolayo for comments were unsuccessful, as his telephone line was switched off.
