DRUMMER SHOT AT COMMISSIONER'S INAUGURATION IN OYO

The Oyo State police command has commenced an investigation into the shooting of an unidentified middle-aged drummer during the inauguration of the new Commissioner for Education, in Oyo State, Mr Oladiti Solomon, at Governor's Office, Agodi, on Wednesday.

There was a loud bang outside the hall, where Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was inaugurating Solomon, who replaced the former Commissioner of Education, Prof Taoheed Adedoja, following his (Adedoja's) appointment as a federal minister.

The crowd that had gathered inside the hall was oblivious of the cause of the loud bang as the ceremony went on smoothly.

It was gathered that the drummer was wounded when the gun went off and he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital just as blood smeared the scene of the incident.

Confirming the incident, Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Mr Adisa Bolanta, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, on Wednesday, said the drummer had a gun in his pocket, which went off.

Bolanta said the circumstances surrounding the shooting would be unearthed by a detailed investigation.

He said, 'The man kept the gun in his pocket and it exploded. Of course, we are investigating the case but details are still sketchy for now.'

The latest incident again brings to the fore, the level of insecurity in the state capital and also underscored the high number of illegal arms and ammunition in the hands of untrained persons.

Just on Tuesday, the state command paraded a suspected armed robber, Nwayanwu Chinedu, who was in possession of several rounds of ammunition, guns, magazines and charms.

Similarly, a gun battle ensued between factions of the Oyo NURTW early Tuesday morning leaving no fewer than 11 persons injured.

Nwayanwu, who was paraded by the police confessed to be a member of a gang specialising in armed robbery.

A source, who attended the commissioner's inauguration, noted that the incident was a security breach, which could cause the loss of lives of innocent persons.

During the ceremony, Alao-Akala said that his administration had within available resources executed projects and programmes, which had impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry.

He appealed to the people of the state to continue to maintain peaceful co-existence, and added that development was synonymous with peace.

The governor said, 'I will not renege on my promise to positively make a difference in the lives of the people, do what is right and govern with the fear of God.''

Congratulating the new commissioner on his appointment, the governor said the appointment was based on merit and not sentiments.