James Sowole in Akure
The Ondo State Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Mr Saka Yusuf Ogunleye has blamed Osun United thugs for the injuries inflicted on supporters of Sunshine Stars last weekend in Ijebu Ode.
Over 20 indigenes of the state who are supporters of the state-owned Sunshine Stars Football Club were attacked by irate football fans loyal to Osun State owned Osun United Football Club during the ongoing AITEO Cup match at the Ijebu Ode Stadium, in Ogun State.
Ogunleye who addressed the press in Akure on Monday alongside his Information and Orientation counterpart, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, alleged that the supporters of Sunshine Stars were injured by suspected thugs from Osun State.
He said about 40 vehicles with the inscription of Osun logo were mobilised to the stadium, adding that many of those who attacked Ondo people were suspected loyalists of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, going by the clothes many of them wore.
He said trouble started after the match ended 3-1 in favour of Sunshine Star FC, stressing that the Ondo team was caught unawares, thereby making many of them to sustain various degrees of injuries.
Ogunleye who said he was physically present at the stadium during the attack, alleged that Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola called an Oba when those who perpetrated the attack were arrested by the Police.
Two of the victims of the attack, Messrs Ayodele Folorunsho and Felix Olowa who sustained injuries on their heads, recounted at the press conference that various weapons including cutlasses and stones were used freely on them.
The duo said they lost many of their personal belongings including mobile phones, shoes and clothes to the attack.
Speaking, the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Olowolabi said the attack on Ondo people was unfortunate and called on the Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to call his people to order.
Also, he called on well-meaning traditional rulers and eminent personalities in Yoruba land to call Aregbesola to order to avoid dispute between the two neighbouring states.
He informed that many of the victims of the attack were already receiving medical treatment in various hospitals across the state.
Although Olowolabi did not link the attack to the recent attack on the Osun State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Mr Bola Ilori, he decried the situation and stressed the need for peace to reign between the two states.
Ilori, an indigene of Ondo State, but a serving commissioner in Osun State was last Thursday attacked at the International Events Centre, Akure, during the public hearing on
restructuring and true federalism organised by the APC.
