At least two people have been killed and five others injured after violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward congress in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday afternoon, police and eyewitnesses say. The incident disrupted the party’s internal election process across the state’s 203 wards.

The violence, which broke out at Odode-Idanre while delegates gathered to elect ward executives, involved suspected political thugs who attacked party members and supporters with machetes and other weapons, according to officials and local reports. A vehicle was also reportedly set on fire during the unrest.

Ondo State Police Command spokesperson DSP Abayomi Jimoh confirmed that security operatives responded swiftly to the crisis. He said three of the injured victims are receiving medical attention at a hospital in the area while two others died after being taken there following the attack. Jimoh added that additional tactical units were deployed to help restore peace and prevent further escalation.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as party members fled for safety when the violence escalated. The attack appears to have followed an earlier disruption at the APC secretariat in Akure on Tuesday where hoodlums reportedly stormed a stakeholders’ meeting and assaulted party leaders including the state chairman’s younger brother.

The origins of the conflict are still being investigated but some sources link it to internal party rivalries ahead of the congresses. Police have urged calm and warned that those responsible for the violence will be held to account as the situation continues to be monitored by security authorities.