NEWS
Osun Palace Gun Attack: Police Say Davido Was Alleged Target as One Person Dies in Violent Clash
The Osun State Police Command has revealed that preliminary investigations into the gun attack that erupted during Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo indicate that Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was allegedly the intended target.
The dramatic 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.
In what was meant to be a celebratory and symbolic visit, the governor proceeded to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, accompanied by Davido and other members of his entourage.
However, the atmosphere reportedly turned chaotic when suspected hoodlums clashed with security operatives around the palace.
The confrontation soon escalated into a gun battle, sending residents, traders and other people around the busy Oja Oba area into panic. Witnesses reported that sporadic gunshots rang out for more than 15 minutes as security personnel engaged the suspected attackers and returned fire.
As details of the incident continue to emerge, the police have now provided a clearer account of what may have triggered the violence.
According to the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, preliminary findings suggest that members of the Eye Confraternity allegedly targeted Davido during the governor’s visit to the palace.
Ojelabi said one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as Small Rugged, allegedly made an attempt to gain access to the music star but was stopped by members of Davido’s security team.
The police spokesman described Taoreed as an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and an alleged member of the Eye Confraternity.
“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.
60-Year-Old Man Killed as Suspects Flee:-
The violence, however, took a deadly turn as the police confirmed that a 60-year-old man, identified as Tajudeen Yusuf, lost his life during the incident.
According to Ojelabi, the suspected gang members eventually left the palace area but allegedly shot Yusuf at the Itaolokan area of Osogbo while attempting to flee.
“Upon receiving the information, the police immediately mobilised a patrol team to the scene, where the victim was found lying in a pool of blood,” he said.
Yusuf was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo for emergency medical attention but was pronounced dead by doctors on duty.
The killing has further heightened concerns over the security breach, particularly as the violence unfolded around a high-profile political gathering involving the governor, a prominent traditional ruler and one of Nigeria’s biggest music stars.
The Osun State Police Command said it has since launched a full-scale investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to identify and arrest all those connected to the attack and the killing.
The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and assured residents that the police would deploy all available resources to ensure that those responsible are tracked down and brought to justice.
The command also appealed to members of the public who may have useful information about the incident to report to the nearest police station or contact the police through its official channels.
Residents have equally been urged to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands as investigators work to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the palace gun attack.
The police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.