Adeleke orders probe as Accord chieftain shot dead in Osun - Punch Newspapers
Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke. Photo: Osun State Government
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered an investigation into the killing of an Accord Party chieftain, Olalekan Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir, during a clash over control of a motor park in Ile-Ife. Adeleke also directed the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to immediately arrest all those involved in the killing and restore normalcy to the affected areas. The governor’s directive followed the reported killing of Ajagungbade at Mayfair, Ile-Ife, on Sunday. Sources told our correspondent that Ajagungbade was attacked during a meeting held with some drivers at Mayfair at about 1:20pm. Details of the circumstances surrounding the attack were not immediately available. However, a video clip showing Ajagungbade lying face down in a vehicle in a pool of blood circulated on social media on Sunday. The incident reportedly sparked further clashes involving Ajagungbade’s men and a rival group, with the violence spreading to other parts of Ile-Ife. A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the incident, said Ajagungbade and his men came under attack during the meeting. He said, “At about 1:25pm, we received a distress call that there was chaos around Mayfair, Ife. Ajagungbade, popularly called Emir, was shot at Mayfair motor park. “We were told that Ajagungbade and his men were fighting with one man identified as Sibi. It was during the fight that Ajagungbade was shot in the head. It was a leadership tussle over the control of the motor park. Police operatives have taken over Mayfair motor park. “But after escaping from the scene of the fight, the vehicle conveying Sibi and his men was involved in an accident. The car ran into an 18-seater bus along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.” Efforts to reach the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile line rang out, while responses to messages sent to him were still being awaited as of the time of filing this report. Osun terror alert: Adeleke urges vigilance, tightens security 2027: Reject vote-buying, Catholic Bishops’ President tells Nigerians Police probe Osun motor park shooting Meanwhile, the incident reportedly caused tension in Osogbo, the state capital, as gunshots were heard in some areas, forcing residents to remain indoors. Our correspondent monitoring the development reported that gunshots were heard around the Isale Osun and Asoje areas of the state capital. Reacting to the development, Adeleke directed the Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest those responsible for Ajagungbade’s death and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The governor also ordered the immediate vacation of motor parks by warring groups and directed security agencies to restore normalcy and ensure law and order across the state. The directive was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and obtained in Osogbo on Sunday. Adeleke said the killing allegedly resulted from a park leadership tussle, adding that the state government would reintroduce the Park Management System to bring discipline and orderliness to motor parks and garages across the state. He said he would issue an Executive Order to give effect to the new management system. The governor called on residents to remain calm, assuring them that the government would ensure the restoration of peace in the affected parks and areas. He charged the Commissioner of Police to “Act immediately to arrest all those involved. Law and order must be maintained. There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book.” The statement further read, “We call on members of the public to remain calm. We will ensure restoration of peace in all the affected parks and areas. The security agencies are under instruction to ensure the sustainability of peace at all cost. “We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will sovon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state.” Bola Bamigbola
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