Violence erupted in Osogbo on Wednesday afternoon as suspected thugs attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke. The assault triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire between the hoodlums and the Governor’s security detail.
The incident occurred around 3:30 pm, shortly after Adeleke departed from the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji. The Governor had visited the monarch to present his Certificate of Return following his recent re-election victory.
Witnesses reported that the gunfire lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, sending residents and traders into a scramble for safety.
According to an eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus via the Ita Olokan area.
“The Governor was already in the bus with his close aides when we started hearing heavy gunshots,” the source said. “The security men responded immediately, and there was a heavy exchange of fire before the hoodlums eventually fled the scene.”
A local trader, identified as Munirat, noted that the assailants appeared to have been lying in wait. “They shot at the palace’s main gate and damaged it, but the security men pushed them back. The confrontation continued near the Osogbo Central Mosque as the gunmen fled toward the Osogbo-Ilesa Road,” she said.
The attack caused significant panic in the state capital, with business owners along the palace axis and the popular central market hurriedly shutting their shops for fear of reprisal attacks or being caught in the crossfire.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated that the Governor’s security team successfully repelled the attackers.
“They are hoodlums, and the Governor’s security personnel repelled them. They attacked the convoy at the Ataoja’s palace, but fortunately, no casualties were recorded,” Alimi said.
Despite the heavy presence of security forces following the attack, sporadic gunshots were still heard in the surrounding areas as late as 4:45 pm, leaving the community in a state of high tension.
Governor Adeleke had earlier in the day received his Certificate of Return at the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before proceeding to the palace for the traditional blessing.
Police authorities have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the attack.
