TD Gunmen reportedly opened fire on the convoy of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo, the state capital, triggering a gun battle between the suspected attackers and security personnel attached to the governor.
The incident reportedly occurred amid heightened political tension in Osun State following the August 15 governorship election and a prolonged series of politically related security incidents across the state.
According to reports, the attackers sprayed bullets at the governor’s convoy before security operatives attached to the convoy responded with gunfire.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity and motive of the gunmen, were not immediately clear.
Security Operatives Return Fire
Security personnel reportedly attached to the governor’s convoy engaged the attackers after the gunfire began.
The exchange reportedly caused panic in parts of Osogbo, with residents and motorists seeking safety as the security operatives attempted to repel the attackers.
There was no immediate official confirmation of casualties or arrests arising from the incident.
Authorities are expected to establish whether the attack was politically motivated or connected to other criminal activity.
Osun Has Witnessed Rising Political Tension
The reported attack comes against the backdrop of months of political violence and accusations between rival political camps in Osun State.
Ahead of the August 15 governorship election, Governor Adeleke repeatedly warned residents about threats of violence and urged voters not to be intimidated.
On August 2, the governor called on Osun residents to ignore threats and participate in the election.
He, meanwhile, accused opposition actors of resorting to violence after allegedly losing public support.
Earlier, the governor had also accused security agencies of being compromised and alleged that political actors were using violence to influence the electoral process.
The allegations were rejected by opposing political camps.
Previous Shootings Reported in Osogbo
The latest reported incident is not the first time gunfire has been reported around political activities involving the governor.
In June, political violence was reported in Osogbo, Ede and other parts of Osun during the buildup to the governorship election.
anguard reported that gunmen were involved in shootings and that a campaign convoy was caught up in an exchange of gunfire.
The competing political camps traded accusations over responsibility for the violence.
The development also follows the arrest of Osun State Secretary to the Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and several others in July.
Police said they recovered cash, voter cards, a voters’ register and other materials during an operation in Osogbo.
while the state government and the governor’s political camp disputed the allegations against them.
Investigation Expected
The reported shooting of a sitting governor’s convoy is likely to attract the attention of the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies.
Investigators will be expected to determine the identities of those responsible, establish their motive and determine whether the incident was connected to the state’s recent political conflicts.
The security situation in Osun has remained a major concern throughout the 2026 electoral season, with political parties repeatedly accusing one another of sponsoring or tolerating violence.
For now, details of the latest attack remain limited, and official confirmation of casualties, arrests or the identities of the attackers is awaited.
The reported incident nevertheless raises fresh concerns about security in Osun and the ability of authorities to prevent politically motivated violence and protect public officials and residents.
