Two persons were reportedly shot dead and three others injured after violence broke out during the All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when armed men suspected to be political thugs allegedly stormed the town. The attackers reportedly moved through the Commercial Road and Onibata areas while the congress was in progress, firing sporadically and causing widespread panic.
Residents and party supporters were said to have fled for safety as gunshots rang out across the community. During the chaos, two individuals were reportedly struck by bullets.
A source in the area disclosed that Raphael, the immediate younger brother of the state APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, was among those attacked. He was said to have been on his way to Idanre to participate in the ward congress when he encountered the assailants, who allegedly mistook him for the APC Chairman.
According to the source, he was shot multiple times, and when the gunmen discovered the bullets had not penetrated, they reportedly dragged him out of his vehicle and attacked him with machetes. He was left in a pool of blood while his vehicle was set ablaze. He was later rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Confirming the incident, Adetimehin, who was reportedly assaulted at the party secretariat a day earlier, said his brother was attacked and injured by suspected political thugs. He condemned the violence and decried the rising political tension in the state, stressing that politics should not be treated as a do-or-die affair. He also called on security agencies to restore and maintain order in the community.
In response, police personnel were deployed to the area to contain the situation and prevent further unrest. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, led a team of officers to assess developments, stating that normalcy had been restored while investigations commenced.
In a statement issued by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, the command confirmed that the attack resulted in two fatalities and left three others injured. He said a distress call was received from the Divisional Police Officer in Idanre at about 11:05 a.m., reporting violent acts by a group of individuals, prompting an immediate operational response.
The Commissioner of Police subsequently deployed tactical teams to reinforce security and personally led a combined team of operatives, alongside the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Oluyemi Ibiloye, to the scene.
Police authorities stated that five persons were attacked and a vehicle set on fire during the incident. Three victims are currently receiving medical treatment, while two others were confirmed dead at the hospital. The Commissioner also visited the injured victims and assured them of the command’s support.
The police added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible, while additional tactical teams have been stationed in the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
The police urged residents of Ondo State to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring that adequate security measures have been put in place to maintain peace and stability across the state.
