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The Osun state police command says 60-year-old Tajudeen Yusuf was shot dead in Osogbo on Wednesday shortly after some hoodlums allegedly attempted to gain access to David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, during a visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun.
Davido was in the company of Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, who had visited the place to present his certificate of return to the monarch after winning the August 15 governorship election.
Earlier on Wednesday, hoodlums had reportedly opened fire on Adeleke’s convoy, but no casualty was reported.
The governor reportedly arrived at the palace at about 3:15pm in a convoy of 20 vehicles.
However, suspected thugs reportedly opened fire on the governor’s convoy, triggering an exchange of gunfire with his security personnel.
The shooting was said to have lasted for about 12 to 15 minutes, shortly after the governor received prayers from the monarch.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Abiodun Ojelabi, police spokesperson in Osun, said a full-scale investigation had been launched into the shooting incident that occurred at the Itaolokan area of the state capital.
“On Wednesday, 19th August 2026, at about 1600hrs, the Command received information that one Tajudeen Yusuf, male, aged 60 years, of Oke-Ayepe area, Osogbo, was shot by suspected hoodlums at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” the statement reads.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that earlier in the day, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, accompanied by his nephew, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, paid a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, at the palace.
“Immediately after the visit, 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.”
According to the police spokesperson, the ensuing confrontation attracted other suspected gang members in the vicinity, who temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed movements, but the convoy eventually left the area safely.
Ojelabi said the suspected gang members immediately departed the vicinity but allegedly shot Yusuf on their way out.
“Upon receiving the information, the police immediately mobilised a patrol team to the scene, where the victim was found lying in a pool of blood,” he said.
“He was promptly rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical attention. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead by the doctors on duty.
“The Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to identify, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice.”
Ojelabi said Samuel Etaifo, commissioner of police (election) for Osun, condemned the “dastardly act” and assured members of the public that the command would deploy all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
He urged anyone with useful information that could assist the investigation to promptly approach the nearest police station or contact the command through its official channels.
