Violence Erupts at APC Ward Congress in Ondo, Leaving Two Dead and Three Injured

During the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress held in the Idanre local government area of Ondo State, a violent outbreak resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals and left three others wounded.

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, armed men suspected to be political thugs invaded the area, specifically targeting the Commercial Road and Onibata region, as the congress was in progress. Witnesses reported that the attackers fired gunshots indiscriminately into the air, creating widespread panic.

In the ensuing chaos, residents and congress attendees fled in all directions in search of safety, while two individuals were reportedly struck during the attack.

According to local sources, Raphael, the younger brother of the state APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, was shot during the incident. Raphael was on his way to the ward congress when the assailants mistook him for the APC Chairman and assaulted him.

It was reported that Raphael sustained multiple gunshot wounds. When the assailants realized the bullets were not penetrating his body, they forced him out of his vehicle and attacked him with machetes.

Following the assault, the attackers abandoned him in a pool of blood and set his vehicle ablaze. Fortunately, bystanders promptly transported him to the hospital for treatment.

The APC Chairman, Adetimehin, who was injured during an earlier altercation at the party secretariat, confirmed his brother's assault, emphasizing the rise in political violence in the region. He criticized the attack and urged for peace, stating that politics should not be a matter of life and death. Adetimehin also called for enhanced security to help restore law and order in the community.

In response to the violent outbreak, law enforcement officials have been dispatched to the location to mitigate tensions and restore normalcy. The police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, was actively involved in assessing the situation and confirmed that peace has been restored. Investigations into the attack are ongoing.

The police later reported that the violent incident resulted in two fatalities, while three individuals sustained injuries. They received notification of the situation from the Divisional Police Officer in Idanre at around 11:05 AM, leading to an immediate deployment of security forces to the area.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that proactive measures were taken to ensure order, involving the swift arrival of tactical teams to the affected areas. A police statement confirmed that five persons were attacked during the incident, and a vehicle was also set aflame. While two casualties were recorded at the hospital, three others were undergoing treatment for various injuries.

Furthermore, police investigations are ongoing to determine the specifics of the confrontation and to apprehend those accountable. They have urged residents of Ondo State to remain calm while assuring them that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard community peace and stability.