Abayomi Susan
Panic gripped parts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums attacked the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after his visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
The incident occurred shortly after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the August 15 governorship election. He subsequently proceeded to the palace to pay a courtesy visit to the traditional ruler.
According to eyewitness accounts, the shooting began as the governor and his entourage were leaving the palace after the meeting with the monarch. Adeleke had reportedly already left the palace hall and entered a vehicle with his close aides when heavy gunfire erupted.
The attackers were reportedly travelling in an unregistered Sienna vehicle and approached the area through Ita Olokan. The ensuing exchange of gunfire between the suspected assailants and security personnel attached to the governor reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes before the attackers fled.
The sudden gunfire sent residents, traders and other members of the public scrambling for safety. Some businesses in the area were reportedly shut as people abandoned their shops and sought shelter while the security personnel responded to the attack.
A trader near the palace, identified simply as Munirat, said the attackers may have been aware of the governor’s visit and had allegedly waited for his arrival. She also claimed that the palace area was affected during the incident and that the assailants later fled towards the Ita Olokan axis.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack, describing the assailants as hoodlums. He said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled them and initially stated that no casualty was recorded.
However, a later report attributed to the Osun State Police Command gave a different account, stating that a 60-year-old man, identified as Tajudeen Yusuf, was allegedly shot in the Ita Olokan area during the incident and later died after being taken to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo. The police said investigations had commenced to establish what happened and apprehend those responsible.
The conflicting early accounts have made further investigation important, particularly regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the identity and motive of the attackers, and the events that followed the confrontation.
The attack occurred only days after Adeleke’s re-election, adding to concerns about security in the state following the governorship election. Adeleke reportedly secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 444,815 votes.
Security agencies are expected to intensify investigations into the incident and determine whether it was politically motivated or connected to other local disputes. Authorities are also expected to provide further clarification as investigations progress.
For residents and business owners in Osogbo, the incident has renewed concerns about public safety and the need for security agencies to prevent further violence in densely populated areas.
The governor’s convoy eventually left the palace area, while security personnel continued efforts to restore calm. Further developments are expected as the police investigation continues.
