Saliu A. O Adetunji: The Olubadan of Ibadan

Former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli, who is the current Asaaju Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, had a close shave with death as his vehicle was shot at by five yet-to-be identified gunmen who shot at the palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, at Popoyemoja, Ibadan on Monday morning.

Eyewitnesses said Alli’s vehicle was less than 15 metres to the gate of the palace of the Olubadan before the attack.

One of those in the vehicle with Alli said he escaped death because he did not sit at the owner’s corner. He sat beside the driver on the front seat.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen invaded the palace in a white Sienna Toyota space bus with open roof. One of the gunmen was said to have released volleys of gunshots into the the air, while others reportedly shot through windows of the vehicle.

The gunmen, according to them, wore black clothes and tied red clothes around their heads and they used pump action rifles and A-K47 rifles.

Some eyewitnesses said the gunmen came to the palace from Idi-Arere axis and headed towards Oke-Ado.

Men of the State’s  special security outfit, Operation Burst, arrived the Popoyemoja Street and began combing the street and its environs less than five minutes after the gunmen had left.

It was learnt that Olubadan was about to commence the installation of four new Baales (village heads) in his palace as at the time of the attack.

Those present in the palace before the sporadic gunshots were the Osi Olubadan and former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, and Baamofin of Ibadanland, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin.

Though the sporadic gunshots led to commotion, it was gathered that no one was killed. Also, the gun attack did noit disrupt the installation ceremony.