Osogbo Shooting: One Dead After Gunfire Near Ataoja Palace During Adeleke’s Visit

Panic spread across parts of Osogbo on Wednesday, August 19, after gunfire broke out near the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo in the Oja Oba area while Governor Ademola Adeleke was visiting the traditional ruler.

The incident occurred shortly after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his re-election as Osun State governor.

Adeleke later proceeded to the Ataoja’s palace for a courtesy visit. He was accompanied by members of his entourage, including his nephew, Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

According to the Osun State Police Command, the incident began when a suspected member of the Eiye confraternity, identified as Adebayo Taoreed, also known as “Small Rugged,” allegedly attempted to approach Davido.

Police said security personnel prevented the approach, after which the situation reportedly escalated when other suspected gang members became involved.

The suspects allegedly obstructed the entrance to the palace and blocked the governor’s convoy, leading to an exchange of gunfire in the area.

The incident caused panic among residents, traders and visitors in the Oja Oba area as security personnel moved to control the situation.

The governor, Davido and other members of their entourage were subsequently able to leave the area safely.

However, police said the violence continued after the suspects reportedly left the palace area.

According to the police, a 60-year-old man identified as Tajudeen Yusuf was allegedly shot in the nearby Itaolokan area.

Responding officers reportedly found the victim and immediately took him to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, where he was pronounced dead.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced to identify and arrest those responsible.

The police attributed the incident to suspected members of the Eiye confraternity, although investigators are still expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

Davido and Adeleke Not the Target, Sources Say

Despite the shooting occurring while the governor and Davido were at the palace, available accounts indicate that Governor Adeleke was not the target of the attack.

Sources close to the governor reportedly said the violence was unrelated to Adeleke’s visit.

Davido also publicly dismissed suggestions that the confrontation was directed at him or the governor’s entourage, saying the fight outside the palace “had nothing to do with us.”

The clarification has become important amid social media speculation surrounding the incident, with several versions of events circulating online.

A separate account attributed to Naija Confra described the incident as a confrontation involving rival Eiye and Aye groups. However, that account has not been independently confirmed by the police or major news organisations.

The platform also reported a separate violent incident in the Oja Oba area during the early hours of Thursday, August 20, in which a man identified as Cango was reportedly killed.

That second incident remains unverified at the time of publication, as no independent confirmation from the police or other major news organisations was available.

The Wednesday incident has nevertheless renewed concerns about alleged cult-related violence and criminal activity in parts of Osogbo.

The timing has also attracted additional attention because it occurred only days after the August 15 Osun governorship election, which saw Adeleke secure another term in office.

Security personnel have since worked to restore calm around the affected areas, while police investigators continue efforts to identify those responsible for the shooting.

The police have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing information that could assist in the arrests.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to clarify the sequence of events, identify those involved in the confrontation and determine the circumstances that led to the death of Tajudeen Yusuf.

For now, police confirmation remains the most authoritative account of the incident, while unverified reports circulating online should be treated with caution as investigations continue.