The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a probe into the death of Olalekan Ajagungbade, also known as Emir, an Accord Party chieftain, following a battle over control of a vehicle park in Ile-Ife.
Adeleke also urged the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to promptly arrest all individuals involved in the killing and restore normalcy to the affected communities.
The governor’s directive followed the reported assassination of Ajagungbade at Mayfair, Ile-Ife, on Sunday.
Sources told our correspondent that Ajagungbade was attacked during a meeting conducted with several drivers at Mayfair at about 1:20pm.
Details about the violent attack were not immediately available.
However, a video clip of Ajagungbade lying face down in a vehicle in a pool of blood went viral on social media on Sunday.
The event allegedly provoked additional battles between Ajagungbade’s men and a rival group, with the violence extending to other districts of Ile-Ife.
A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the situation, said Ajagungbade and his men were attacked during the meeting.
He said, “At about 1:25pm, we received a distress call that there was chaos around Mayfair, Ife. Ajagungbade, popularly called Emir, was shot at Mayfair Motor Park.
“We were told that Ajagungbade and his men were fighting with one man identified as Sibi. It was during the fight that Ajagungbade was shot in the head. It was a leadership tussle over the control of the motor park. Police operatives have taken over Mayfair motor park.
“But after escaping from the scene of the fight, the vehicle conveying Sibi and his men was involved in an accident. The car ran into an 18-seater bus along the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.”
Attempts to contact the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, were fruitless, as calls to his cell number rang out, and responses to messages given to him were still pending as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the event reportedly sparked tension in Osogbo, the state capital, with gunshots heard in several locations prompting locals to stay indoors.
According to our source, gunfire was heard in the Isale, Osun, and Asoje neighborhoods of the state capital.
In response to the news, Adeleke urged the Commissioner of Police to promptly arrest individuals responsible for Ajagungbade’s death and examine the facts surrounding the incident.
The governor further ordered that warring factions immediately vacate vehicle parks and directed security services to restore normalcy and maintain law and order throughout the state.
The decision was outlined in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and obtained in Osogbo on Sunday.
Adeleke said that the death was the consequence of a park leadership dispute and that the state government would reinstate the Park Management System to restore discipline and order to car parks and garages across the state.
He stated that he would issue an executive order to implement the new management system.
The governor urged locals to be calm and assured them that the administration will restore tranquility in the impacted parks and localities.
He directed the Commissioner of Police to “act immediately to arrest all those involved. ” Law and order must be upheld. There will be no sacred cows because all offenders will be brought to justice.”
The statement further read, “We call on members of the public to remain calm. We will ensure restoration of peace in all the affected parks and areas. The security agencies are under instruction to ensure the sustainability of peace at all cost.
“We are reintroducing the Park Management System. I will soon issue an executive order to give effect to the new management system to manage parks and garages across the state.”
