Tension gripped Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday after gunmen shot dead Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, during a violent clash linked to control of motor parks in the ancient city.
The killing occurred around 10am when a confrontation reportedly erupted among rival groups at the Mayfair motor park before spreading to motor parks in the Sabo and Lagere areas of the city.
An eyewitness said Oyeyemi, who was reportedly leading his loyalists, was killed during an alleged attempt to take control of the Mayfair motor park.
The clash triggered panic among residents, motorists, traders and passersby, with witnesses reporting sustained gunshots for more than 20 minutes as the violence spread to other parts of the city.
A video circulating online showed the deceased wearing a hooded cardigan and lying in a pool of blood inside a vehicle after the shooting.
Reacting to the incident, Adeleke directed the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to launch a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the killing were arrested and prosecuted.
The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the motor park dispute to vacate the parks immediately, while directing the security agencies to restore normalcy and prevent further violence.
A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke had resolved to reintroduce the Park Management System across the state, with an executive order expected to be issued to provide the legal framework for the new arrangement.
The governor, while appealing for calm, said there would be no sacred cows in the investigation and directed security agencies to maintain law and order across the affected areas.