The Osun State Police Command has confirmed that a 60-year-old man, Tajudeen Yusuf, was shot dead in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, shortly after an alleged confrontation involving suspected gang members near the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo.
The incident occurred shortly after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his nephew, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, visited the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Laaroye.
The police have commenced a full-scale investigation and launched efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killing.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said it received information at about 4pm that Yusuf, a resident of the Oke-Ayepe area of Osogbo, had been shot by suspected hoodlums at Itaolokan.
According to the police, the incident followed a confrontation at the palace involving a man identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged”.
The command alleged that Taoreed attempted to gain access to Davido but was stopped by members of the singer’s security team.
The police described Taoreed as an ex-convict, suspected notorious thug and alleged member of an “eye confraternity”.
“Immediately after the visit, one Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as ‘Small Rugged’, an ex-convict, a suspected notorious thug and a member of eye confratanity allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was resisted by members of his security team,” the statement said.
The confrontation allegedly attracted other suspected gang members, who the police said temporarily blocked the entrance to the palace and obstructed movement in the area.
Despite the incident, the governor’s convoy eventually left the area safely.
The police said the suspected gang members later left the palace vicinity but allegedly shot Yusuf at Itaolokan while leaving the area.
“Shortly afterwards, the suspected gang members reportedly departed the vicinity and, however on their way, they allegedly shot Tajudeen Yusuf at Itaolokan area of Osogbo,” the command said.
Police officers were immediately deployed to the scene, where they found Yusuf lying in a pool of blood.
He was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, but doctors on duty reportedly pronounced him dead.
The command said it had intensified efforts to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects, including those allegedly involved in the confrontation around the palace.
“The Command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident and intensified efforts to identify, apprehend and bring the fleeing suspects to justice,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police (Election), Osun State Command, CP Samuel Etaifo, condemned the killing and assured members of the public that the command would deploy all available resources to apprehend those responsible.
The police also appealed to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its official channels.
Residents were urged to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“Members of the public are also advised to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” the police said.
The incident has generated political and public reactions in Osun State, particularly because it occurred during the visit of Governor Adeleke and Davido to the Ataoja’s palace.
Earlier reports on the incident had indicated that suspected cultists clashed near the palace and exchanged sporadic gunfire.
Sources close to the governor’s entourage had reportedly said Adeleke was not targeted and that his convoy was not involved in the clash.
The Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council later accused supporters of Governor Adeleke of involvement in the violence, alleging that a passerby was killed and several people were injured.
The APC campaign council did not, however, provide independent evidence to substantiate the allegation.
The police account has now identified the reported victim as Tajudeen Yusuf and linked his shooting to suspected gang members who allegedly left the palace area following the confrontation.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the alleged roles of Taoreed and other suspects, remain under investigation.
The police have not announced any arrest in connection with the killing as of the time of filing this report.
The command said further action would follow as investigators make progress in identifying and apprehending those responsible.