Residents and traders around the Ataoja of Osogbo’s palace were thrown into panic on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums attacked the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
The incident occurred shortly after Adeleke left the palace of the Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, where he had visited the monarch following his receipt of the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governor arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a motorcade comprising about 20 vehicles after leaving the Osun State INEC office in Osogbo.
Sources said the situation became tense as the governor’s visit was coming to an end. Adeleke was reportedly already inside his vehicle with some aides when gunshots suddenly rent the air.
An eyewitness said the attackers reportedly arrived in an unregistered Sienna bus from the Ita Olokan axis and opened fire around the palace, prompting the governor’s security personnel to respond.
The gun battle reportedly continued for between 12 and 15 minutes before the attackers withdrew from the area. They were said to have fled towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
A trader near the palace, identified as Munirat, said the attackers damaged the palace gate during the assault, forcing traders and other residents to abandon their businesses and run for safety.
“They shot at the palace gate, but the security men pushed them back. We all ran away and left our wares. They also engaged the governor near the Osogbo Central Mosque before