Thugs Attack, Strip Ondo Council Chairman After Suspension Standoff

A dramatic security breach unfolded at the Owo Local Government Secretariat in Ondo State on Monday, where suspected political thugs reportedly assaulted and stripped the Council Chairman, Tope Omolayo, sparking panic among staff and raising fresh concerns over grassroots governance tensions.

Global Mirror News gathered that the embattled Chairman, elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had only just returned to office after serving a controversial suspension imposed by Councillor over allegations of gross misconduct.

Sources said Omolayo arrived at the secretariat in the early hours of Monday to resume duties after nearly six months away, but was confronted by a group of suspected thugs who allegedly stormed the premises to block his reinstatement. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers physically assaulted the chairman, tore his clothes, and left him nearly naked in a chaotic scene that forced workers and visitors to flee for safety. Sporadic gunshots were also reportedly fired into the air, further heightening tension across the secretariat.

Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Police Command confirmed a rapid deployment of operatives to restore order. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, ordered an immediate security response upon receiving reports of the disturbance.

According to the command, calm has since been restored in the area, while investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Authorities have urged residents to remain law-abiding as efforts continue to ensure accountability and prevent further escalation.