Gunmen Open Fire Near Adeleke’s Palace Visit In Osogbo

Gunmen suspected to be political thugs reportedly exchanged gunfire with the governor’s security aides for about 12 to 15 minutes.

Gunmen suspected to be political thugs on Wednesday opened fire near the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, while Governor Ademola Adeleke was visiting the monarch.

The incident occurred as the monarch was hosting Adeleke, who had arrived at the palace after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo.

According to reports, the assailants arrived in a space bus and engaged the governor’s security aides in an exchange of gunfire that lasted between 12 and 15 minutes.

Adeleke had arrived at the palace at about 3:15 p.m. in a motorcade of about 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State INEC headquarters, where he received his Certificate of Return following his re-election in the August 15 governorship election.

The shooting reportedly caused panic in the area, forcing traders and residents to flee their businesses and seek safety.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the governor and his entourage were being received by Oba Oyetunji when the shooting began. Adeleke had reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch.

The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the incident when contacted.

However, Alimi suggested that the shooting may have resulted from a clash between rival cult groups.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached on his telephone lines.

The incident comes shortly after Adeleke announced measures to support families affected by electoral violence during the build-up to the August 15 election.

The governor said children and dependants of people who lost their lives in the violence would receive automatic scholarships up to university level.

He also announced the establishment of a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to provide relief and support to verified victims and families affected by the violence.