MOPAMURO, Kogi State.
Emerging accounts from the political rally in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State on Thursday suggest that the confrontation between security operatives and supporters of the Mopamuro L’okan movement may have been triggered by individuals allegedly throwing stones at police officers.
The incident occurred during a gathering by supporters advocating that Mopamuro should produce the next representative for the Yagba Federal Constituency. What initially began as a political rally reportedly escalated into disorder shortly after the event commenced.
According to sources familiar with the situation, some individuals believed to be holding bottles of alcoholic content and possibly under the influence of alcohol allegedly began pelting security operatives with stones. The police, who were reportedly stationed at the venue to maintain law and order, later responded by releasing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
A man who sustained injuries during the chaos was reportedly not part of the rally. Sources said the victim was returning from a meeting of local bricklayers when he was caught in the commotion.
Witnesses also alleged that two individuals, identified as Oluwi Sesan, and one other who is popularly called Angel, and Gbenga Agbona, were seen standing on a vehicle branded in support of Yagba Federal Constituency aspirant Pastor Babagbemi Adejola shortly before the disturbance.
The injured man’s condition later sparked controversy online after a social media post claimed he had been shot by police. However, some residents disputed the claim, insisting that the injury resulted from a stone thrown during the confrontation rather than gunfire.
Sources further alleged that videos circulating online after the incident may have contributed to rising tension in the community. According to some observers, Pastor Babagbemi Adejola later released videos which they claimed contained misleading information about the incident.
Community members have since called for calm and urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information capable of worsening tensions in the area.