The Osun State Police Command has said preliminary findings indicate that Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was the alleged target of Wednesday’s attack on the convoy of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo.
The incident occurred when security personnel attached to the governor engaged suspected armed men in a gun duel during Adeleke’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo.
Davido, who is the governor’s nephew, had accompanied Adeleke and his children to the Independent National Electoral Commission office, where the governor received his Certificate of Return, before they proceeded to the palace.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary investigations indicated that suspected members of the Eye Confraternity had targeted the singer during the visit.
According to him, a suspected cult member and ex convict, Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”, allegedly attempted to approach Davido but was prevented from doing so by members of the singer’s security team.
Ojelabi said the confrontation subsequently attracted other suspected members of the group, who allegedly blocked the palace entrance and disrupted the movement of the governor’s convoy.
“The ensuing confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement of the convoy of the governor,” the police spokesman said.
The police also confirmed that a 60 year old man, identified as Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot during the confrontation and later died in a hospital.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security situation and alleged political violence in Osun State, particularly following the recently concluded governorship election.
The Accord Party had earlier alleged that more than 28 people were killed by suspected political thugs during the election period.
The allegation was, however, countered by the All Progressives Congress, which accused the Accord Party of sponsoring violence that resulted in the deaths of some of its members.
The police said investigations into the latest incident were ongoing.