The police yesterday blamed the Minister of Interior, Chief Rauf Aregbesola, for the recent mayhem in Osogbo, the state capital.

Also, the Osun State Government condemned the shooting, warning that any unruly action by any individual, no matter highly placed, will be checked legally.

A statement by Police spokesman SP Yemisi Opalola explained that Aregbesola’s conduct breached public peace.

She said: “Yesterday’s action was conduct likely to cause a breach of the public peace. About 5:30pm, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola was moving in a convoy of personnel of NSCDC, Correctional Service, Immigration, as well as some unidentified armed people, suspected to be political thugs, on Orisumbare/MDS road, Osogbo.

“Suddenly, some of the security escorts of the minister started shooting sporadically into the air without any provocation or attack, thereby causing members of the public to scamper for safety.

“Thirteen empty shells of G-3, assault, and AK-47 rifles were recovered on the road after the minister’s departure. No casualty was recorded. The situation is under close monitoring.”

“Aregbesola came to town to terrorise residents of the state. It is the game plan of Aregbesola which we all know. We know his orientation, thinking and plans in the state. We can’t be surprised by his actions. What he is trying to do is to intimidate voters ahead of the primary election of APC in Osun.

“We want the Presidency to call him to order. Aregbesola is no more representing the interest of Osun, but his own interest. Most of his aides as a minister are not from Osun State. He will never succeed with his personal agendas in Osun State.

Akere also denied the claim that some people planned to assassinate the minister, saying it was unfounded.