The incident reportedly occurred on Friday morning at about 6:00 a.m. in Omi Eran Atijo community, Osun State, according to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters.

Amember of the Accord Party has allegedly been killed by suspected thugs believed to be affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, a day before the governorship election in the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday morning at about 6:00 a.m. in Omi Eran Atijo community, Osun State, according to sources who spoke to SaharaReporters.

A source familiar with the incident told SaharaReporters that the victim was chased by the suspected assailants before he was eventually caught and killed.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows the body of the deceased lying lifeless in a drainage, surrounded by a pool of blood.

The killing has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in Osun State ahead of the election, with residents accusing security operatives deployed to the area of failing to take adequate measures to prevent alleged political violence.

A source told SaharaReporters that security personnel have been inactive despite concerns over possible violence involving suspected APC thugs in the community.

The source said the situation has created fear among residents and supporters of opposition political parties ahead of the election.

Another source, who identified himself as a relative of the deceased, described the killing as devastating and said the victim was a family man with a wife and children.

“I’m not okay as I am speaking to you. The man they killed was very close to me. They killed him, and he had a wife and children,” the relative told SaharaReporters.

The relative said the death had left the family and those close to the deceased devastated, particularly because of the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The incident comes amid heightened political tension and concerns over possible violence as voters prepare to participate in the Osun State governorship election.

Sources who spoke to SaharaReporters called for security agencies to investigate the killing, identify those responsible and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

They also urged security operatives to intensify patrols and take immediate steps to prevent further attacks in the community and other parts of the state as residents prepare for the election.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Naval Commander who ordered the arrest of Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the Osun State APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area, over alleged possession of a gun had been redeployed, while the politician had been released following what sources described as "orders from above."

Sources told SaharaReporters that the Commander was redeployed on the strength of an order from above shortly after the arrest became viral and sparked public outrage.

"The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed," a source told SaharaReporters.

"When the news went viral, those from above became agitated and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat," the source added.

SaharaReporters also gathered that Komolafe, who was allegedly arrested with a gun, has been freed based on an order from senior authorities.

"They have freed the House of Assembly candidate, Komolafe, based on orders from those high up," the source told SaharaReporters.

"After the report went viral, instead of taking action, they let Komolafe go while the Naval officer who stood up to the occasion was punished," a source told SaharaReporters.

The development comes shortly after Komolafe was reportedly apprehended by Nigerian Navy personnel in his hometown, Ifewara, Osun State, while allegedly in possession of a firearm.

 Source: SaharaReporters