Follow Us on Google
The peaceful atmosphere of Gbagada was shattered on Saturday evening as suspected political thugs launched a deadly ambush on a local chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr. Olawale Ojerinde, and his sister, Ms. Joke Ojerinde.
The attack, which occurred at approximately 6:30 pm on March 12, resulted in the tragic death of Joke Ojerinde, who served as the General Secretary for the Alliance for Democracy in Kosofe Local Government Area. Her brother, Olawale, a prominent party chieftain in his own right, miraculously survived the onslaught with minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a “theatre of war” as the assailants intercepted the Ojerindes’ vehicle. According to residents, the thugs, suspected of being loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), blocked the path of the car before opening fire indiscriminately.
“It was horrific,” said one witness who pleaded for anonymity. “Bullets were flying everywhere. They riddled the car with bullets before speeding off, leaving the victims in despair.”
Speaking via telephone in a voice cracked with emotion, the victims’ father, Elder Moses Ojerinde, a former AD Ward 01 Chairman in Kosofe, expressed utter devastation.
Other News
“Politics should not be this bitter,” the elder sobbed. “They have taken my light from me. Joke was my light. I wonder what we have done to deserve this treatment.”
While he expressed relief that his son, Olawale, survived and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, Elder Ojerinde called for immediate state intervention. He urged the Federal Government to “call the APC to order” and demanded that security agencies fish out his daughter’s killers without delay.
Reacting to the gruesome incident, the Chairperson for the Alliance for Democracy in Kosofe LG, Alhaja M. A. Adelekan, condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms.
“This is a cowardly attempt to intimidate the opposition. We call on the Federal Government to pursue justice for the Ojerinde family. Let it be known: the Alliance for Democracy will not be silenced. We will carry on, no matter what,” Adelekan stated.
When contacted for an official statement, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmus, confirmed that the command is aware of the incident.
“I have been informed of the shooting in Gbagada,” Badmus said. “However, I have not yet been fully briefed on the specifics. I will get back to your reporter as soon as more details are available.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police are yet to provide further updates on arrests or the progress of the investigation. The Gbagada community remains on edge as fears of reprisal attacks and further political volatility loom over the area.
