Tension has heightened in Osun State following the killing of Dauda Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, an associate of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Oyeyemi was reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Sunday during a meeting at Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife.
The incident occurred amid a dispute over the leadership of the motor park, with Oyeyemi reportedly seeking to take over the leadership currently held by Wakili Nurudeen, popularly known as Alowonle.
The development had reportedly created tension between supporters of the two groups, with efforts said to have been made to resolve the disagreement.
Sources said Oyeyemi attended a meeting at the motor park with members of his group as part of attempts to address the leadership dispute.
However, the meeting reportedly turned violent when masked gunmen stormed the venue.
According to an eyewitness, the attackers opened fire on Oyeyemi and shot him in the head before fleeing the scene.
The eyewitness said the shooting caused panic among those at the motor park, forcing members of both the Alowonle and Emir groups to flee.
“Everybody started running when the gunmen arrived and shot him,” the source said.
The source added that a vehicle conveying some members of Oyeyemi’s group was involved in an accident near Campus Gate while they were attempting to escape from the area.
The incident has since raised tension in parts of Osun State, particularly around Oyeyemi’s base in the Asoje area of Osogbo.
His associates were reportedly angered by the killing, raising concerns about possible retaliation and further escalation of the dispute.
The killing has also drawn attention to the long-running disagreements surrounding the control and leadership of motor parks in the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed the incident and called on security agencies to take immediate action.
Rasheed urged the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oyeyemi’s death and identify those responsible for the attack.
“The perpetrators must be arrested and prosecuted,” Rasheed said.
He also appealed to residents and members of the groups involved in the dispute to remain calm and avoid actions that could further worsen the situation.
The spokesperson said the government would not support acts of violence and urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killing face the law.
The killing comes amid heightened concerns over disputes involving motor park leadership in the state, with stakeholders expected to work towards preventing further violence.
Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident, identify the attackers and determine the circumstances that led to the shooting.
As of the time of filing this report, no individual or group had been officially identified as responsible for the killing.