Gunmen suspected to be hoodlums on Wednesday opened fire on 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, sending residents and traders in the area fleeing for safety.
The incident occurred shortly after Adeleke concluded his meeting with the traditional ruler at the palace.
The governor had arrived at the palace around 3:15pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo following his re-election.
An eyewitness said the governor presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch during the visit and was preparing to leave when the shooting started.
According to the eyewitness, Adeleke had already entered a vehicle with some of his aides after leaving the palace hall through an exit used by the monarch and his wives when heavy gunfire erupted.
She said the suspected attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna bus through the Ita Olokan axis of Osogbo.
The eyewitness stated that the gun battle lasted between 12 and 15 minutes before Adeleke’s convoy eventually left the area, while the assailants fled.
A trader near the palace, identified simply as Munirat, said the attackers might have been aware of the governor’s visit and allegedly positioned themselves in the area ahead of his arrival.
She claimed that the assailants damaged the palace’s main gate and fired at it before security personnel pushed them back.
The trader added that the attackers later engaged the governor’s security team in another exchange of gunfire near the Osogbo Central Mosque before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
The incident reportedly caused panic, with traders and residents abandoning their businesses and running to safety.
Confirming the attack, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the attackers.
He also said 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.
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As of 4:45pm, sporadic gunshots were still reportedly being heard around the area, while several business owners had shut their shops amid fears of further violence.
The attack came hours after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from INEC, formally confirming his victory in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
