Olalekan Ajagungbade, a close political ally of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, was shot dead at a motor park in Ile-Ife on Saturday, September 13, 2026. The killing has sparked tension across parts of the state, prompting the governor to order immediate arrests and announce a new park management policy.
Details of the Attack
Ajagungbade, widely known as Emir in political circles, was reportedly lured to the motor park under the pretence of attending a meeting. Upon arrival, he was shot in the head and died on the spot. Sources linked the killing to a dispute over control of motor parks in Osun State.
The deceased had been involved in a power struggle with Nurudeen Alowonle, the current leader of commercial drivers in the state, over who should oversee the parks. The conflict, according to sources, had escalated in recent weeks, with both factions vying for control of the lucrative park operations.
Governor Adeleke's Response
Governor Adeleke swiftly responded to the killing by directing the Osun State Police Command to identify and apprehend everyone connected to the murder. His spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, issued a statement outlining the governor's instructions.
Adeleke ordered all rival groups to immediately vacate the affected motor parks and announced that a Park Management System would be put in place with immediate effect. He also directed security agencies to move in and restore order across all parks in the state.
"Law and order must be maintained. There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book. We call on members of the public to remain calm," Adeleke said.
New Park Management System Announced
The governor added that an executive order would be signed to formalise the new management structure for parks and garages across the state. "We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will soon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state," he said.
Adeleke also urged residents to remain calm while assuring that security forces had been instructed to sustain peace at all costs. "We will ensure restoration of peace in all the affected parks and areas. The security agencies are under instruction to ensure the sustainability of peace at all cost," he said.
The killing has raised concerns about the safety of political figures in Osun State, with residents in Ile-Ife and other parts of the state reportedly on edge. The police have not yet made any arrests, but investigations are ongoing. The new Park Management System is expected to be implemented in the coming days, with the governor's executive order set to define the operational framework for all parks and garages in the state.
