It was confusion galore on Monday at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji as gunmen attacked the palace few minutes to the commencement of the installation of two new Baale (Community heads) by Oba Adetunji.
During the attack, a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government and an Ibadan Senior Chief, Chief Sarafadeen Abiodun Alli and three journalists escaped death during the confusion.
It was gathered that the gunmen numbering about four reportedly stormed the palace in a black Sienna space bus few minutes after the arrival of the former SSG who was about to step out of his car when they opened fire on his car and other vehicles parked in front of the palace.
The three journalists namely Femi Atoyebi of the Punch, Demola Babalola of This Day and Jeremiah Oke of Daily Trust were about entering the palace when the gunmen started shooting sporadically into the palace forcing the trio to dive into the nearby gutter to escape being hit by the bullets.
Also attacked during the sporadic shooting, a woman identified as Alhaja Iyabo Adeyemi whose car, a Black Honda Accord marked GGB 690 CU was damaged with the occupants of the car sustaining serious injuries.
The unidentified gunmen during the shooting opened fire repeatedly and shattered the former SSG’s car’ s glass windows and other cars parked in front of the palace while the three journalists were in the gutter for about 10 minutes until the gunmen left the palace for Molete end of Popoyemoja.
Despite the attack on the palace, Oba Adetunji went ahead with the installation of the community heads
The newly installed community heads are Chief Saheed Adeyemi Alatise who was installed as Baale Lagelu Aboke Village and Chief Taye Makinde Aikomo who emerged as Baale Adigun Village..
The installation was witnessed by former Governor of the state and the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja; Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Iyalode of Ibadanland Chief Aminat Abiodun.
Others are Mogaji Abduljeleel Adanla (Mogaji Adanla), Mogaji Abass Oloko (Mogaji Oloko) among others.
Source: New Nigerian
