- Say Suspect Acted Based on Illicit Drugs
The Police on Friday said its investigations into alleged assassination attempt on prominent ruler Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun have shown that the allegation was misplaced.
The state command said report from an investigative panel set up to investigate the allegations found that the incursions into the palace of the monarch on June 3, 2026 was not really an assassination attack but that of a suspect Semilola Odunayo Monday, scaling the fence into the palace under the influence of drugs.
Spokesman of the command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said that after the intruder was challenged taking to his heels on the said date, he was arrested having also sustained some serious injuries.
The police command said this was why Monday was hospitalized at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital Osogbo until his conditions became stable.
“Following improvement of his medical condition, the suspect was interrogated and he admitted entering the palace premises through the fence. Stated further that, he has no intention to assassinate or armed His Imperial Majesty or any other person. He attributed his conduct to excessive admission of substance,” the statement said
See Full Text of the Statement Below:
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE ON ALLEGED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON ATAOJA OF OSOGBO
The Osun State Police Command wishes to inform the public of the outcome of its investigation into the alleged assassination attempt on Ataoja of Osogbo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II. Following a report from a committee led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Suleiman Kafar Bayonle.
On 3rd June, 2026 at about 8:45am, upon a report received from the palace of Ataoja of Osogbo, that one adult male later identified as Semilola Odunayo Monday ‘m’ a.k.a Ankara age 26yrs scaled the fence of Ataoja’s palace Osogbo and forcibly entered the palace, he was immediately challenged by some residents/domestic staff, but he could not give reasonable excuse, instead he took to his heels, in the course of ensuring pursuit he sustained bodily injury and was rushed to Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Osogbo where he was admitted for medical attention.
Following improvement of his medical condition, the suspect was interrogated and he admitted entering the palace premises through the fence. Stated further that, he has no intention to assassinate or armed His Imperial Majesty or any other person. He attributed his conduct to excessive admission of substance.
The report from the committee reveals that, the suspect was not in possession of a fire arms or any offensive weapon at the time of his arrest. In line with the due process, the suspect was arraigned on a charge of attempt felony on 8th June, 2026 before magistrate court II, Osogbo and he has been remanded at Correctional centre.
The Command is calling on members of the public and palace emissaries who have any information regarding the incident should come forth as investigation is still open.
The Osun State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will not relent in its efforts to ensure that all criminal activities are brought to lowest ebb.
E-SIGNED
DSP ABIODUN OJELABI
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
OSUN STATE COMMAND, OSOGBO
JUNE 19, 2026