By Tolulope Oke

The Osun State Police Command has revealed that music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was the target of the violence that erupted around Governor Ademola Adeleke’s convoy in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Police said preliminary investigation showed that a suspected cult member attempted to gain access to Davido during the governor’s visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo but was stopped by the singer’s security team.

The confrontation subsequently escalated, with suspected gang members reportedly blocking the palace entrance and obstructing the governor’s convoy.

Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the alleged mastermind as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”.

“One Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as ‘Small Rugged’, an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and a member of Eye Confraternity allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of his security team,” Ojelabi said.

“The ensuing confrontation reportedly attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed the movement of the convoy of the Governor.”

The incident occurred after Adeleke visited the Ataoja’s palace following his collection of a Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Davido, who played a prominent role in his uncle’s August 15 governorship campaign, accompanied the governor during Wednesday’s activities.

Witnesses around Oja Oba in Osogbo reported hearing sustained gunfire as security operatives attached to the convoy responded to the disturbance.

Police said a 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was later shot dead as the suspected gang members fled the area.

“Shortly afterwards, the suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity and, however on their way, they allegedly shot Tajudeen Yusuf at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” Ojelabi said.

Police officers deployed to the scene found Yusuf in a pool of blood and rushed him to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

He was pronounced dead by doctors.

The command said it had launched a full-scale investigation and intensified efforts to track down those responsible.

Commissioner of Police for the Osun election, Samuel Etaifo, condemned the attack and vowed that those behind it would be apprehended.

Police urged residents with useful information to approach the nearest station or contact the command through its official channels.

The command also appealed for calm and warned residents against taking the law into their own hands while the investigation continues.