Some journalists as well as some influential politicians were lucky to escape death on Monday after some gunmen opened fire during installation of Mogajis and Baales in Ibadan.
Oba Adetunji
Unknown gunmen reportedly shot sporadically at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during installation of Mogajis and Baales on Monday.
"Three journalists; Olufemi Atoyebi, Demola Babalola, Jeremiah Oke; and a chieftain of Labour Party who was a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Sharafadeen Alli, were among the people who escaped death while the shooting lasted.
"While the activity was going on, the four gunmen in a black Toyota Sienna opened fire sporadically around 11:45am, shattering Alli’s car’s glass windows and other cars parked in front of the palace.
"The journalists, who were just arriving at the gate of the palace, were caught in the fire, but they escaped being shot as they ducked for cover in the drainage outlet in front of the palace.
"They were there for about 10 minutes until the gunmen sped off towards Molete end of Popoyemoja. Alli, who is the Asaju Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan land, was also lucky, as he was inside the car when bullets hit his car.
"The gunmen stopped in front of the palace, shooting and daring people inside the palace to come out and confront them. The shooting, however, did not stop the coronation inside the palace."