Suspected hoodlums on Wednesday opened fire on the convoy of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after his visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
The attack sparked a gun battle between the assailants and members of the governor’s security team, according to witnesses and the state government.
Adeleke had visited the monarch shortly after collecting his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osogbo, following his re-election.
The governor arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of roughly 20 vehicles, according to reports.
Security personnel repel attackers
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the incident.
Alimi described the attackers as hoodlums and said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled them.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” he said.
An eyewitness said Adeleke and his entourage had been received by the Ataoja, with the governor reportedly presenting his Certificate of Return to the traditional ruler.
According to the witness, the shooting began as the meeting was ending, after the monarch had offered prayers.
She said Adeleke had already left the palace hall through an exit used by the monarch and his wives and was inside the vehicle carrying him and his close aides when gunshots rang out.
Attackers reportedly arrived in Sienna bus
The eyewitness claimed the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna Space Bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo.
She said the exchange of gunfire continued for between 12 and 15 minutes before the attackers fled and the governor’s convoy departed the area.
A trader near the palace, identified as Munirat, alleged that the attackers may have been aware of Adeleke’s visit and had positioned themselves in anticipation of his arrival.
She further claimed that the palace’s main gate was damaged during the incident.
Munirat also alleged that the attackers exchanged gunfire with security personnel around the Osogbo Central Mosque before escaping towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
Residents flee amid gunfire
The incident reportedly caused panic in the area, with traders and residents abandoning their businesses and seeking safer locations.
Some business owners were said to have shut their shops as concerns over their safety grew.
Sporadic gunshots were reportedly still being heard in the area around 4:45pm.
The state government said no casualty was recorded in the attack. Authorities had not publicly identified the attackers or announced any arrests at the time of filing this report.
