One person was killed following a clash between suspected thugs and security details attached to Afrobeats star Davido during a visit by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to the Ataoja of Osogbo’s palace on Wednesday .
The victim, identified as 60-year-old Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot at the Ita-Olokan area of Osogbo shortly after the confrontation at the palace .
According to the Osun State Police Command, the incident occurred after Governor Adeleke and his nephew, Davido, paid a courtesy visit to the monarch . Trouble reportedly began when a man identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” attempted to gain access to Davido but was stopped by members of the singer’s security team .
The police described Taoreed as an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and a member of an “eye confraternity” .
“The incident attracted more of his cult gang members who attempted to override the security detail which led to gun exchange,” said DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Police Public Relations Officer .
The thugs temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace, but were overpowered by the security details before the governor’s convoy left the scene safely .
After the confrontation, the suspected gang members reportedly left the area and allegedly shot Yusuf at Ita-Olokan .
Police officers were immediately deployed to the scene, where they found Yusuf lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, but was pronounced dead by doctors on duty .
Governor Adeleke was not targeted in the incident, and his convoy was not involved in the clash .
In a post on X, Davido wrote, “It was a fight outside the palace that had nothing to do with us! The pple love excellency!”
The Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council had separately accused supporters of Adeleke of involvement in the violence, but did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation .
The police command said it had 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 (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and assured that all available resources would be deployed to apprehend those responsible .
