Police command in Osun has said a 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was killed by suspected hoodlums at the Itaolokan area of Osogbo on Wednesday.
The command’s spokesperson, Biodun Ojelabi, said the attack occurred shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke, together with his nephew David Adeleke, aka Davido, visited the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, at the palace.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that earlier in the day, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, accompanied by his nephew, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, paid a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, at the palace,” Mr Ojelabi stated.
The command noted that the victim was shot dead after a suspected cultist, Adebayo Taoheed, who attempted to gain access to the Afrobeats star, was denied at the palace’s entrance.
“Immediately after the visit, one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as ‘Small Rugged’, an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and a member of Eye Confraternity, allegedly 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, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement before the convoy eventually left the area safely.
“Shortly afterwards, the suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity and, however, on their way, they allegedly shot Tajudeen Yusuf at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” it added.
The command noted that 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 was promptly rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by the doctors on duty,” it stated.
Mr Ojelabi 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.
The police commissioner for the Osun election, Samuel Etaifo, condemned the attack and assured the public that perpetrators would be apprehended.
Mr Adeleke received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday, days after emerging victorious in the August 15 governorship election.
It was a fierce contest in the build-up to the election with allegations and counter-allegations of violent killings by both parties and then-candidates.
Davido, who played a vital role in Mr Adeleke’s re-election, alleged that the All Progressives Congress supporters’ violence targeting Accord Party members and sympathisers led to the death of several people in Osun.
