Tension gripped Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums reportedly opened fire on the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after he visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
The incident occurred during Adeleke’s visit to the monarch to present the certificate of return issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
The governor arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles.
Sources said the attackers opened fire on the convoy shortly after the governor received prayers from the traditional ruler, prompting security personnel attached to Adeleke to respond.
The exchange of gunfire reportedly lasted between 12 and 15 minutes, throwing the area into panic as residents and visitors sought safety.
The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack, saying the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled the hoodlums.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi was quoted as saying.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding the attack remained unclear as of press time.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said he had yet to receive details of the incident.
Ojelabi, however, promised that the command would issue an official statement after obtaining the facts.
The incident came four days after Adeleke was declared the winner of the Osun governorship election, adding a fresh security concern to the political atmosphere in the state.
Adeleke had visited the Ataoja’s palace as part of engagements following his electoral victory and to formally present his certificate of return.
The reported attack has raised concerns over the safety of the governor and other political actors in the state, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Security authorities are expected to investigate the incident and establish the identities and motives of those behind the shooting.
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