Gunfire erupted in Osogbo on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums attacked 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 reportedly triggered an exchange of gunfire between the assailants and the governor’s security personnel, with the shooting lasting between 12 and 15 minutes.
Adeleke had arrived at the Ataoja’s palace at about 3:15 pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles after receiving his Certificate of Return at the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo following his re-election.
An eyewitness said the governor was received by the monarch and presented his Certificate of Return to him during the visit.
According to the eyewitness, the incident occurred as the meeting was ending, shortly after the monarch had offered prayers.
She said Adeleke had already left the palace hall through an exit reserved for the monarch and his wives and was inside the vehicle conveying him and his aides when heavy gunfire erupted.
“He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots. Those that attacked had come in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo,” she said.
She added that the governor’s security personnel exchanged gunfire with the attackers before the hoodlums fled the scene.
A trader near the palace, identified simply as Munirat, said the attackers might have learnt about Adeleke’s visit and waited for his arrival.
“We suspected that those hoodlums heard about Adeleke’s visit and had been waiting for him. They came in a Sienna space bus. They even damaged the main gate to the palace. They shot at the palace main gate, but the security men pushed them back,” she said.
According to her, the attackers also engaged the governor’s security team near the Osogbo Central Mosque before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
The incident sparked panic in the area, with traders and residents reportedly abandoning their businesses and running to safety as the shooting continued.
The 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 confirmed that no casualty was recorded.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” he said.
As of 4:45 pm, when our correspondent left the area, sporadic gunshots were still being heard, while several business owners had hurriedly closed their shops amid fears of further violence.
