by Isi Esene

Sina Kawonise, the Ogun State commissioner for information under former governor Gbenga Daniel, and current managing director of the Nigerian Compass has been shot in the leg by gunmen.

One of his two police orderlies also sustained gunshot wounds.

The attack reportedly took place earlier on Tuesday around Ikeji Arakeji in Osun State while Kawonise was on his way back from a trip to Awka, Anambra State.

According to a statement released by media aide to Daniel, Adegbenro Adebanjo, the gunmen opened fire in order to force Kawonise’s vehicle to stop.

The statement partly read: “The attackers were, however, repelled by his two police orderlies. In the ensuing gun battle Mr. Kawonise was shot in the leg by the attackers while one of the two policemen also suffered gunshot wounds.

“The armed attackers later fled the scene while Mr. Kawonise and the wounded policeman were evacuated to a nearby hospital. Doctors treating the duo say they are stabilizing.”

Kawonise was in Awka as the keynote speaker at the 17th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association which held at the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka.

The Police have reportedly commenced investigations into the incident.