- Oyo Govt Condemns Attack
Security agents have stepped into the Monday morning’s invasion of the Palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji by yet to be identified gunmen.
The said gunmen stormed the palace of the Olubadan during the controversial installation of Mogajis and Baales on Monday.
While the activity was going on, the four gunmen in a black Toyota Sienna opened fire sporadically around 11:45am, shattering Asaju Balogun Olubadan, Oloye Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s car’s glass windows and other cars parked in front of the palace.
Some journalists, who were just arriving at the gate of the palace, were caught in the fire, but they escaped being shot as they ducked for cover in the drainage outlets in front of the palace.
The gunmen who drove in a two-door black Sienna, stormed the palace around 11.45am, were quoted shouting in Yoruba language “koni da fun iyalaya yin, eyin were e jade…”
They were there for about 10 minutes until they sped off towards Molete end of Popoyemoja.
Alli, who is the Asaju Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan land, was also lucky, as he was inside the car when bullets hit his car.
The gunmen stopped in front of the palace, shooting and daring people inside the palace to come out and confront them.
The shooting, however, did not stop the coronation inside the palace.
According to an eye witness, Asiwaju Babatunde Yusuff, “some Gunmen shot directly at Asaju Balogun Olubadan Oloye Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli’s Jeep at Olubadan Palace Popoyemoja”.
When contacted, one Ayodele Adedokun who was behind the wheels driving Oloye Abiodun Alli to the palace gave account of what happened.
His words “We were about 15 metres away from the palace when we were shot at several times. All the seats of the car where shattered.
“It was God that saved us. It is our belief that those who attacked us came for us because of our loyalty to the Olubadan. We have since reported the matter at the nearest police station at Mapo.”
When asked what Oloye Alli was doing at the Palace at the time the attack was carried out, Adedokun, who described himself as an aide to Barrister Alli responded “We were at the Palace on solidarity visit to the Olubadan.”
As at the time of uploading this, sympathizers were still seen coming in and going out of the Popoyemoja, Ibadan Palace of the Olubadan.
Meanwhile, the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has condemned the alleged gun attack on the Palace of the Olubadan.
In a short but loaded press release, the spokesman to the Governor, Yomi Layinka said “The attention of the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has been drawn to the alleged act of brigandage during a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, today (on Monday).
“The governor condemns the said act in its entirety and has directed security agencies to ensure that the masterminds are swiftly arrested, interrogated and brought to justice.
“The governor has vowed not to brook anyone or group of people desirous of bringing back the regime of violence and brigandage to the state.
“He wishes to reiterate his commitment to the security and protection of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, which he has laboured hard to restore and maintain in the last six years”.
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