Panic gripped Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums reportedly opened fire around the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after he left the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
The incident occurred at about 3:15pm after Adeleke visited the monarch to present his Certificate of Return following his re-election for a second term.
According to eyewitness accounts, trouble began as the governor and his entourage exited the palace through a private route used by the monarch and members of his family.
The assailants, reportedly operating in a Sienna bus, allegedly arrived through the Ita Olokan axis and opened fire around the palace. One eyewitness claimed the palace’s main gate was also attacked before security operatives engaged the suspected hoodlums.
The ensuing exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, forcing residents, traders and other people in the area to flee for safety.
The attackers were also said to have engaged the governor’s convoy again around the Osogbo Central Mosque before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
The development reportedly resulted in the temporary closure of some businesses, while sporadic gunshots were heard in parts of the city, heightening fears among residents.
However, the incident has generated conflicting accounts.
David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido and the governor’s nephew, dismissed reports that the governor’s convoy was attacked, describing the reports as false.
“Lies! It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us! The people love excellency,” Davido wrote on X.
Despite the conflicting accounts, the Osun State Government confirmed that an incident involving hoodlums occurred and that security personnel attached to the governor repelled them.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the governor and members of his team were safe.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at the Ataoja’s palace but no casualties were recorded,” Alimi said.
