The Osun State Police Command has disclosed that Afrobeat singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was allegedly the target of an attack that disrupted Governor Ademola Adeleke’s convoy in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The incident occurred shortly after Governor Adeleke left the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, where he had visited following his receipt of the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Davido, who is the governor’s nephew and had actively participated in the recent Osun governorship election campaign, was reportedly with Adeleke and his children during the visit to the INEC office and the monarch’s palace.
According to the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, preliminary investigations indicated that members of the Eye Confraternity were allegedly attempting to reach Davido when the confrontation began.
Ojelabi said a suspected gang member identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”, allegedly tried to gain access to Davido but was stopped by members of the singer’s security team.
“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 police spokesperson said.
He explained that the confrontation subsequently attracted other suspected gang members in the area, who allegedly blocked the entrance to the palace and prevented the governor’s convoy from moving freely.
The ensuing confrontation reportedly escalated into a gun duel between the suspected gang members and security personnel attached to the governor’s convoy.
Residents around Oja Oba said the exchange of gunfire lasted for several minutes, creating panic in the area as people reportedly scampered for safety.
The police later said that a 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot during the incident.
According to Ojelabi, the suspected gang members allegedly left the area after the confrontation and later shot Yusuf at Itaolokan in Osogbo.
“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,” Ojelabi stated.
He added that Yusuf was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo for treatment but was pronounced dead by doctors on duty.
The police spokesperson said the command had commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
He stated, “The Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to identify, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice.”
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election in Osun State, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the incident and assured residents that the police would deploy all available resources to apprehend the perpetrators.
The command also appealed to members of the public with relevant information to contact the police, while urging residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The incident has heightened concerns over security in Osun State following the recently concluded governorship election, with authorities promising further updates as the investigation progresses.
