Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state narrowly escaped a gun attack on Wednesday after suspected hoodlums opened fire on his convoy shortly after he received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The incident occurred at the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, where Adeleke had gone after collecting his certificate at the Osun State headquarters of INEC in Osogbo.

Adeleke arrived at the monarch’s palace around 3:15 pm in a convoy of about 20 vehicles and was received by the Ataoja, to whom he reportedly presented his Certificate of Return.

The situation, however, turned violent shortly after the meeting with the monarch ended, with suspected hoodlums reportedly attacking the governor’s convoy as it prepared to leave the palace.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the governor had already left the palace hall and entered his vehicle with some close aides when gunshots rang out.

According to the eyewitness, the attackers arrived in an unregistered Sienna space bus through the Ita Olokan axis of Osogbo and engaged the governor’s security personnel in a gun battle.

“He was already in the bus that brought him and his close aides to the palace when we started hearing heavy gunshots,” the eyewitness said.

“The shooting lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes before the governor’s convoy eventually left the palace. The governor’s security men and those hoodlums exchanged gunshots. The hoodlums later fled the scene.”

Another witness, a trader identified as Munirat, alleged that the attackers may have been waiting for the governor after learning about his visit to the palace.

She said the assailants damaged the palace’s main gate and fired shots towards the entrance before being repelled by security operatives.

“We suspected that those hoodlums heard about Adeleke’s visit and had been waiting for him. They came in a Sienna space bus. They even damaged the main gate to the palace,” she said.

Munirat added that the attackers later engaged the governor’s security team near the Osogbo Central Mosque before fleeing towards Ita Olokan along the Osogbo-Ilesa Road.

The gun battle reportedly triggered panic around the palace and adjoining areas, forcing traders and residents to abandon their shops and seek cover.

The attack came hours after Adeleke formally received his Certificate of Return from INEC following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

The governor defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the keenly contested poll to secure another term in office.

Confirming the incident, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the attackers as hoodlums and said the governor’s security personnel successfully repelled them.

“They are hoodlums, and the governor’s security repelled them. They attacked the governor’s convoy at Ataoja’s palace. No casualty,” Alimi said.