On Wednesday, gunmen believed to be political thugs opened fire in close proximity to the Osogbo monarch’s palace, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji.
The monarch was entertaining Governor Ademola Adeleke at the time of the incident.
The attackers, who arrived in a space bus, were reportedly involved in a 12- to 15-minute gunfight with the governor’s security personnel.
After receiving his Certificate of Return following his reelection last Saturday at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Osun State headquarters in Osogbo, Adeleke arrived at the Ataoja’s palace at approximately 3:15 p.m. in a motorcade of roughly 20 vehicles.
Oba Oyetunji was receiving the governor and his entourage, and the governor allegedly gave the monarch his Certificate of Return, according to an eyewitness who described the event under the condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Traders and other locals reportedly fled their businesses and sought safety during the shooting, causing panic in the area.
Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, confirmed the incident when contacted.
According to him, the attackers could be competing cultist groups fighting each other.
In the meantime, attempts to contact Osun State Police Command spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi were unsuccessful since his phone lines were unreachable.
The governor declared that automatic university-level scholarships would be given to the children and dependents of those who died in the run-up to the election.
Additionally, he promised that the Osun State Government would create a ₦500 million Election Violence Victims Endowment Fund to support and aid verified victims and their families.
I sincerely hope that those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly caught and brought to justice. It is essential that they face the full weight of the law to ensure accountability and to restore peace and security in our community.
