Suspected gunmen on Wednesday attacked the Osun State capital, Osogbo, and shot at the convoy of the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
It was learnt that the governor was attacked by the thugs shortly after visiting the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, where gunshots were exchanged between the governor’s security personnel and the thugs.
The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes and occurred shortly after Adeleke left the palace hall where he had met with the monarch.
The Ataoja received the governor after he left the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo where he had collected his Certificate of Return following his re-election.
An eyewitness who spoke to the platform said Adeleke and his entourage were received by Oyetunji where the governor was said to have presented his Certificate of Return to the monarch.
The eyewitness said trouble started as the meeting was winding up after the monarch had offered prayers.
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She said that Adeleke had already left the hall via an exit meant for the monarch and his wives when the shooting started.
“We started hearing heavy gunshots when he was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace,” she said. The attackers arrived in a Sienna space bus not registered in the Ita Olokan area of Osogbo.
“The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before finally the convoy of the governor left the palace. The governor’s security men and these hoodlums exchanged gun shots. Those hooligans ran away from the scene later.”
A trader close to the palace who identified himself as Munirat said the assailants might have heard of Adeleke’s visit and waited for his arrival.
“We suspected that those hoodlums heard about Adeleke’s visit and had been waiting for him,” she said. They arrived in a Sienna space bus. They broke the palace gate, the big one. They fired on the palace gate, but they were driven off by the guards.
“We all ran off and left our wares. They also engaged the governor around the Osogbo Central Mosque before they took to their heels toward Ita Olokan on the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.”
The shooting sparked panic in the area, with traders and other residents reportedly deserting their businesses and running for safety.
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack when he was contacted.
“Thugs, and the governor’s security pushed them back. They attacked the governor’s convoy to Ataoja’s palace. “No casualty,” he stated.
