- After visit to Ataoja palace
Panic, on Wednesday, spread through Osogbo, the Osun State capital, after suspected gunmen attacked the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after he left the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, in the city.
The incident occurred barely hours after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
The governor had proceeded to the Ataoja’s palace after collecting the certificate, arriving at about 3:15pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles.
He was received by the monarch, to whom he reportedly presented his Certificate of Return before the meeting ended with prayers.
Trouble reportedly started shortly after Adeleke and his close aides had left the palace hall. Witnesses said gunshots suddenly rang out around the palace, prompting security personnel attached to the governor to respond.
An eyewitness said the suspected attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita-Olokan axis and opened fire around the palace.
The ensuing exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted several minutes before the assailants fled the area.
The attack caused panic among residents, traders and other people around the palace, with several business owners said to have hurriedly closed their shops and fled to safety.
A trader in the area claimed the attackers also damaged part of the palace gate during the incident.
The suspected gunmen reportedly moved towards the Osogbo Central Mosque area before making their escape through the Ita-Olokan axis of the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the attackers.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi said.
As of the time of filing this report, sporadic gunshots were still reportedly being heard around parts of the area, while security personnel maintained a presence around the palace and adjoining streets.
The incident has heightened concerns over security in the state, coming only days after the governorship election and amid heightened political activities ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.
- Media Report