A 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, has been shot dead in Osogbo, Osun State, after suspected cultists reportedly attempted to gain access to music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, during Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, shortly after Governor Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.
Davido, who actively participated in the governor’s election campaign, had accompanied Adeleke to the INEC office and later to the palace of the Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, alongside members of his family.
The governor arrived at the monarch’s palace at about 3:15 p.m. in a convoy of about 20 vehicles and reportedly presented his Certificate of Return to the traditional ruler before the meeting ended with prayers.
According to the Osun State Police Command, trouble started shortly after the visit when a man identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”, allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of the singer’s security team.
The police described Taoreed as an ex-convict, suspected notorious thug and alleged member of the Eye Confraternity.
The confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the area, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement of the governor’s convoy.
The situation subsequently degenerated into an exchange of gunfire, causing panic among residents, traders and other people around the palace.
Earlier reports had indicated that suspected gunmen arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita-Olokan axis and opened fire around the palace.
The attackers were said to have fled towards the Osogbo Central Mosque and later through the Ita-Olokan axis of the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
However, the police said the governor’s convoy eventually left the area safely.
The suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity and, while on their way, allegedly shot Yusuf at the Ita-Olokan area of Osogbo.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command received information about the shooting at about 4 p.m.
According to him, police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene and found Yusuf lying in a pool of blood.
The victim was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention but was pronounced dead by doctors on duty.
The development contradicted the earlier statement by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who had said the governor’s security personnel repelled the attackers and that there was no casualty.
“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi had said.
The police command has since commenced a full-scale investigation and intensified efforts to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and assured residents that the command would deploy all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
The police appealed to anyone with useful information that could assist the investigation to approach the nearest police station or contact the command through its official channels.
The command also urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring the public that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The attack has heightened security concerns in Osun, coming days after the governorship election and amid increased political activities in the state.
