- Safiu Kehinde
A 60-year-old man has lost his life during the attempted attack on the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in Osogbo, the state’s capital city.
NPO Reported that some armed hoodlums had yesterday stormed the Ita-Olokan area of Osogbo at about 4 p.m., shortly after Adeleke visited the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, at his palace.
A fierce fire exchange would ensue between the hoodlums and security personnel attached to the governor.
While confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed the killing of the 60-year-old man identified as Tajudeen Yusuf.
According to Ojelabi, preliminary investigation revealed that Adeleke, accompanied by his nephew, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Ata Oja duirng which a confrontation ensued between the security team of the governor and a suspected cultist and thug who attempted to gain access to Davido.
“Immediately after the visit, one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as ‘Small Rugged’, an ex-convict, cultist and suspected notorious thug, attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of his security team.
“The ensuing confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity.
“The suspects temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed movement before the governor’s convoy eventually left the area safely.
“Shortly afterwards, the suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity, and while on their way, they allegedly shot the victim dead,” he said.
Ojelabi said a police patrol team was mobilised to the scene, where the victim was found lying in a pool of blood.
He said the victim was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he was pronounced dead.
The police spokesperson said the command had commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to identify, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice.
He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the act and assured members of the public that the command would deploy all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
Etaifo urged anyone with useful information that could assist the investigation to approach the nearest police station or contact the command through its official channels.