Residents and traders around the Ataoja Palace in Osogbo, Osun State, were thrown into panic on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums opened fire on the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after his visit to the palace.
The confrontation reportedly resulted in an exchange of gunfire between the attackers and security operatives attached to the governor.
Adeleke had visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, after collecting his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), confirming his re-election.
DAILY POST gathered that the governor arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of roughly 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State INEC headquarters.
The attack occurred shortly after Adeleke concluded his engagement with the monarch and departed the palace hall.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the incident, saying the governor’s security detail successfully pushed back the attackers.
He added 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,” Alimi said.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity because of security concerns, said Oba Oyetunji received Adeleke and members of his entourage during the visit.
According to the eyewitness, the governor also presented his Certificate of Return to the traditional ruler.
She said the situation deteriorated as the meeting came to an end, shortly after the monarch had offered prayers. By then, Adeleke had reportedly exited the hall through a passage traditionally used by the monarch and his wives.
She said, “He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots.”
The eyewitness alleged that the attackers arrived through the Ita Olokan axis in an unregistered Sienna Space Bus. She said the ensuing firefight continued for approximately 12 to 15 minutes.
She added, “The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy eventually left the palace. The governor’s security men and those hoodlums exchanged gunshots. Those hoodlums later fled the scene.”
A trader operating close to the palace, identified simply as Munirat, suspected that the assailants may have received prior information about the governor’s itinerary and positioned themselves around the area before his arrival.
She also claimed that the palace’s main gate was damaged during the confrontation.
She said, “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.”
Munirat further alleged that the attackers engaged the governor’s security personnel around the Osogbo Central Mosque before retreating towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
The shooting reportedly sent people in the surrounding area scrambling for safety, with traders and residents abandoning their businesses as gunfire rang out.
Sporadic shots were still reportedly heard around the area as of 4:45pm, prompting some business owners to shut their shops amid heightened security concerns.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity and motive of the suspected assailants, were not immediately established.
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