Suspected thugs opened fire on the convoy of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Wednesday afternoon in Osogbo, sparking a gunfight with his security detail that lasted between 12 and 15 minutes. The attack occurred hours after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his re-election as governor.
Attack After Palace Visit
The attack took place shortly after Adeleke departed the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji. The governor had arrived at the palace around 3:15 pm in a motorcade of roughly 20 vehicles, coming directly from the Osun State office of INEC, where he had collected his Certificate of Return after winning re-election.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing security concerns, told a correspondent that Adeleke and his entourage were received by the monarch, and the governor presented his Certificate of Return to Oba Oyetunji during the visit. Trouble began as the meeting was drawing to a close, after the monarch had offered prayers. By the time shots rang out, Adeleke had already exited the hall through a private exit used by the monarch and his wives, the eyewitness said.
Residents Panic as Gunfire Erupts
A trader near the palace, identified only as Munirat, suggested the attackers may have had prior knowledge of the governor's visit and positioned themselves ahead of his arrival. The gunfire sent residents and traders in the surrounding area into a panic. Many abandoned their shops and businesses and fled to safety as the shooting continued.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the attack when contacted. He said the governor's security operatives successfully fought off the assailants and that no casualties were recorded. Despite Alimi's confirmation, the situation around the palace remained tense. As of 4:45 pm, when a correspondent departed the scene, intermittent gunshots were still audible in the area, and several shops had been shut by owners unwilling to risk being caught in the crossfire.
Political Context and Aftermath
The attack came on the same day Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from INEC, marking a significant political moment in the state. The governor had visited the palace to present the certificate to the traditional ruler before the shooting occurred. The commissioner's confirmation of the attack provided official acknowledgment of the incident, though no group has claimed responsibility for the assault. Security forces remain on alert in the area as investigations continue.
