Music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was allegedly the target of an attack on the convoy of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, police authorities have said.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during the governor’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, shortly after he received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Davido, who is the governor’s nephew and actively participated in the election campaign, accompanied the governor to the INEC office and later to the monarch’s palace, alongside his children.
The incident reportedly caused panic in the Oja Oba area of Osogbo, as residents said they heard sporadic gunshots for more than 15 minutes while the governor’s security personnel exchanged fire with unidentified men.
Commenting on the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said preliminary investigations indicated that members of the Eye Confraternity were allegedly targeting Davido.
Ojelabi said one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”, an alleged ex-convict and suspected thug who is also said to be a member of the Eye Confraternity, attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of the singer’s security team.
He said the confrontation subsequently attracted other suspected gang members in the area, who allegedly blocked the palace entrance and disrupted the movement of the governor’s convoy.
The police spokesperson, however, disclosed that a 60-year-old man, identified as Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot dead during the incident.
According to Ojelabi, the suspected gang members later left the area but allegedly 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,” he said.
Yusuf was reportedly rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention but was pronounced dead by doctors on duty.
The police said it had commenced a full-scale investigation and intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the incident and assured residents that all available resources would be deployed to bring those responsible to justice.
The command also appealed to members of the public with useful information about the incident to contact the nearest police station or the command through its official channels.
The police urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, adding that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.