The Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, on Saturday disclosed that he narrowly escaped what he described as an assassination attempt when armed hoodlums allegedly shot at his palace during the recent wave of violence that rocked Osogbo and Ede.

The monarch made the revelation while speaking at a gathering organised by the popular Ajegunle Tradesmen and Artisans Group, where Governor Ademola Adeleke was endorsed for a second term in office.

Oba Larooye said the attackers, believed to be politically motivated, shot the Ataoja’s Palace and shot sporadically in what he described as a desperate bid to eliminate him.

According to the traditional ruler, he was the principal target of the attack but escaped unharmed, while some of his aides were not as fortunate.

“The gunmen came into the palace with the intention of killing me. They shot indiscriminately and some of my aides sustained serious gunshot injuries,” the monarch said.

He lamented what he described as the growing culture of political violence in the state, stressing that no political ambition should be pursued through bloodshed and intimidation.

The Ataoja further alleged that those responsible for the attack were the same group that unleashed terror in several parts of Osogbo last Monday, creating panic among residents and disrupting normal activities across the town.

He noted that the attack on the palace, a revered symbol of the cultural heritage and unity of the people of Osogbo, represented a dangerous escalation of political hostilities.

“The attacks on Osogbo and even on the palace show that political bitterness has been taken too far. It is unfortunate that some individuals have chosen violence as a means of expressing political differences,” he said.

Despite the incident, Oba Larooye maintained that neither the attack nor the threats allegedly directed at him would deter him from supporting initiatives he believes are in the best interest of Osogbo and its people.

The monarch declared that the endorsement of Governor Adeleke by various groups in the state was a reflection of the people’s assessment of the administration’s performance, adding that intimidation and violence would not change the democratic choices of the people.

He therefore called on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attacks, bring the perpetrators to justice, and ensure that peace and security are restored across Osogbo and other affected communities in the state. (Nigerian Tribune)