Osogbo Palace Attack: Gunmen Exchange Fire With Adeleke’s Security Team

OSOGBO — Gunshots were reportedly fired at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, on Wednesday as suspected hoodlums engaged security operatives attached to the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

The shooting happened after Adeleke received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and visited the monarch’s palace to celebrate his electoral victory.

According to sources within the palace, the suspected hoodlums had allegedly gathered around the area in an unregistered Toyota Sienna before the governor arrived.

The sources said an argument involving some of the hoodlums had turned heated before the shooting began. However, the motive behind the altercation, as well as the identity of those allegedly targeted, remained unclear.

A nearby shop owner, Laide Misture, recounted how the incident unfolded, saying gunshots were heard shortly after the governor and members of his entourage entered the palace.

“The guys were shooting from inside the main gate while the governor’s security team responded from inside the palace.

“The shooting was intense for almost three minutes before the hoodlums ran away with their vehicle before the governor’s convoy could exit the palace,” she said.

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, also confirmed that gunshots were fired, attributing the incident to suspected hoodlums.

“It is true there were gunshots when we were exiting the palace and the governor’s security team had to go and engage them. But the circumstances that led to the shooting in the first place, we do not know.

“We only heard that there was an altercation between some groups outside the palace, and we don’t know what caused it or which groups were involved,” Alimi added.

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