Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were thrown into panic on Tuesday after political thugs invaded the town firing sporadic gunshots in parts of the city.

Eyewitnesses said the sound of gunfire sent residents, traders, motorists and passersby scampering for safety to avoid being caught in the violence.

As of the time of filing this report, the motive behind the shooting remained unclear, while there was no official confirmation of casualties, injuries or arrests linked to the incident.

However, a legal practitioner, Abdulfatai Abdusalam Liberty, who was an eye witness alleged alleged security breach in the State, claiming he witnessed armed political thugs openly displaying firearms while moving through parts of the state on Tuesday.

According to Liberty, the individuals travelled along the Ife–Sekona–Osogbo Road carrying pump-action guns in full public view. 

He alleged that the armed convoy moved freely for several hours without any apparent attempt by security agencies to stop or disarm them.

The lawyer further claimed that the convoy passed through multiple police checkpoints without being questioned, a development he said raises serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement. 

He warned that security authorities would have questions to answer should any loss of life result from the activities of the armed group.

Liberty also alleged that two Siena vehicles in the convoy bore the images of AMBO and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a detail he said heightened concerns about the political undertones of the incident.

Calling for urgent action, Liberty urged security agencies, including the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to investigate the incident. 

He stressed that Nigeria is governed by the rule of law and that no individual or group should be allowed to openly brandish firearms and intimidate citizens without consequence.

The development has heightened concerns over security and political violence in the state, coming amid recent reports of violent incidents in Osogbo and surrounding communities.

When contacted, the Osun State Police Command confirmed awareness of the incident and said operatives had been deployed to gather facts.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command could not immediately establish whether the shooting was politically motivated.

“We are aware that there was shooting in some parts of the state, but whether it is branded with whatever party, that is what I don’t know because we have not seen any traces to that. Our control men are out now to gather some facts,” he said.