Suspected thugs on Wednesday attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after he visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, triggering an exchange of gunfire with the governor’s security personnel.
The shooting reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes and occurred shortly after Adeleke left the palace hall following a meeting with the monarch.
The governor had arrived at the palace at about 3.15pm in a convoy of roughly 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo, where he received his Certificate of Return following his re-election.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said Adeleke and members of his entourage were received by the Ataoja, to whom the governor reportedly presented his Certificate of Return.
According to the witness, tension erupted as the meeting was ending after the monarch had offered prayers.
The governor had reportedly left the hall through an exit normally used by the monarch and his wives and was already in his vehicle with some aides when gunshots rang out.
The witness said the suspected attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna minibus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo and opened fire.
A trader near the palace, identified as Munirat, said the attackers may have been aware of the governor’s visit and had waited for his arrival.
She alleged that the assailants damaged the palace’s main gate and exchanged gunfire with security personnel before retreating from the area.
The attackers also reportedly engaged the governor’s security team near the Osogbo Central Mosque before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
The incident triggered panic in the area, with traders and residents reportedly abandoning their businesses and seeking shelter as the shooting continued.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack when contacted.
Alimi said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the attackers and that no casualties were recorded in the incident.
