Suspended Owo Local Government Chairman Violently Assaulted During Attempted Return to Office

Owo LG Chairman Tope Omolayo was beaten and humiliated by suspected thugs while attempting to return to office after a six-month suspension.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 3:46 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Violent Confrontation at the Owo Council Secretariat

The administrative headquarters of Owo Local Government became the site of significant unrest on Monday as Tope Omolayo, the local government chairman, faced a violent physical assault. Omolayo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, was reportedly targeted by a group of suspected thugs shortly after arriving at the premises. Witnesses described a scene of rapid escalation where the initial dispute quickly transformed into a physical altercation. The violence forced staff and bystanders to flee the area in search of safety, bringing local government operations to a complete standstill during the heat of the encounter.

Attempted Resumption of Duties Following Prolonged Suspension

The catalyst for the incident appears to have been Omolayo’s attempt to reclaim his office following a six month period of forced absence. The chairman had previously been suspended by local councillors on the grounds of alleged gross misconduct, a move that initiated a period of intense political friction within the council. Monday’s return was intended as a formal resumption of his executive duties, but he was met with organized resistance from individuals positioned at the secretariat entrance. The blockade was designed to prevent his physical access to the chairman’s office, highlighting the deep seated divisions that remain unresolved despite the duration of his suspension.

Eyewitness Accounts of Public Humiliation and Gunfire

Those present at the scene provided harrowing details of the treatment Omolayo received at the hands of his attackers. Eyewitness reports indicate that the chairman was beaten severely, with the assailants reportedly tearing his clothing and leaving him in a state of near nakedness in public view. To further intimidate those in the vicinity and prevent intervention, the suspected thugs allegedly discharged firearms into the air. This display of force created a sense of panic throughout the secretariat, as the attackers utilized both physical violence and psychological terror to maintain control of the environment during the assault.