Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has broken his silence following the death of his political associate, Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, who was shot in Ile-Ife on Sunday.
Oyeyemi, an Accord Party member and associate of the governor, was reportedly killed amid a dispute connected to the leadership and control of a motor park in the ancient city. Reports of the incident triggered tension in parts of Ile-Ife, with authorities moving quickly to prevent further violence. Reacting to the incident, Adeleke directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest anyone found to have been involved in the killing.
The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the motor park dispute to vacate the affected parks, while announcing plans to reintroduce a formal Park Management System across the state. Adeleke said the new arrangement would be backed by an executive order aimed at restoring discipline and order in motor parks and garages.
“Law and order must be maintained,” the governor said through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, adding that there would be no “sacred cows” in efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The governor also appealed to residents to remain calm and urged security agencies to restore normalcy in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Oyeyemi’s shooting. According to the police, officers were initially alerted to an incident around the Energy Filling Station area in Ile-Ife. Operatives were deployed to secure the scene, restore order and begin investigations.
The command said its investigation would establish the immediate and remote causes of the shooting, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, condemned the incident and warned against reprisal attacks, destruction of property or attempts to take the law into residents’ own hands.
The killing has renewed attention on disputes surrounding motor park management in Osun, with the Adeleke administration now moving to introduce a new structure for managing parks and garages.
As the police investigation continues, authorities are expected to provide further information on the circumstances surrounding the shooting and any arrests made.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about security and disputes surrounding motor park management in Osun, while the governor’s response places renewed emphasis on restoring order and accountability.