There was chaos at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Monday during the installation of Mogajis and Baales.
The ceremony was reportedly going smoothly when four gunmen in a black Toyota Sienna opened fire sporadically just before noon, shattering the glass and windscreens of cars parked in front of the palace.
Punch reports that its journalist covering the event and several others from media houses across the country, including a chieftain of Labour Party who was a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Sharafadeen Alli, were among the people who narrowly escaped death while the shooting lasted.
They reportedly escaped being shot as they ducked for cover in the drainage outlet in front of the palace.
Alli, who is now the Asaju Balogun Olubadan of Ibadan land, was particularly lucky as he was inside the car when bullets hit his car.
After unleashing mayhem for a little over 10 minutes, the gunmen sped off towards the Molete end of Popoyemoja.
It is understood that the shooting did not stop the coronation inside the palace, even as the daredevil gunmen taunted the crowd to come out and challenge them.
Apart from attempting to disrupt the installation, it is not yet clear if there are other motives behind the shooting.
Comments