The Osun State Police Command has opened an investigation into the shooting of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as “Emir Ajagungbade,” in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday, September 13, 2026, as authorities move to establish what led to the incident and identify those responsible.
Police said officers were initially alerted to an accident near Energy Filling Station in Ile-Ife before arriving at the scene, securing the area and beginning preliminary investigations. The command said its investigation will establish both the immediate and underlying circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The development has heightened security concerns in parts of Ile-Ife, with the state government also directing security agencies to restore order around motor parks following the incident.
Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered the immediate arrest of anyone found to have participated in the killing and announced plans to reintroduce a Park Management System to regulate motor parks and garages across the state.
The police investigation is expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the people involved and the events that preceded the incident.
Osun Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said investigators were working to determine what happened and establish responsibility.
The command has urged residents to provide credible information that could assist investigators while warning against actions that could further destabilise the area.
Police Commissioner Ibrahim Zungura condemned the incident and appealed for calm, particularly against reprisals, destruction of property and other acts of violence.
The command’s immediate priorities include:
- Securing affected areas.
- Establishing the circumstances of the shooting.
- Identifying persons connected to the incident.
- Gathering evidence and relevant information.
- Preventing further violence or reprisals.
The police have not publicly announced arrests in connection with the shooting in the statement announcing the investigation.
The shooting occurred against the backdrop of tensions surrounding the management and control of motor parks in Osun.
Following the incident, Governor Adeleke said the violence was linked to a dispute involving rival groups over leadership of motor parks. He directed the warring groups to leave the parks and instructed security agencies to restore order.
The governor also announced plans to establish a new Park Management System through an executive order.
According to the state government, the proposed arrangement is intended to bring greater structure and control to motor parks and garages while reducing conflicts between competing groups.
However, the precise circumstances that resulted in Oyeyemi’s shooting remain subject to the police investigation.
That distinction is important because the police have yet to publicly establish a definitive motive or identify those responsible for the shooting.
Governor Adeleke responded to the incident by directing the Commissioner of Police to arrest those involved.
The governor also appealed to residents to remain calm as security agencies work to prevent the violence from spreading to other areas.
His response included several immediate directives:
- Arrest anyone found to have participated in the killing.
- Remove rival groups from affected motor parks.
- Restore security and public order.
- Introduce a Park Management System.
- Prevent further clashes around motor parks and garages.
The governor’s intervention places the incident within a broader discussion about the regulation of transport parks and the role of competing groups in their administration.
For investigators, however, the immediate priority remains establishing the facts of the shooting and gathering sufficient evidence to support any subsequent prosecution.
Oyeyemi, also known as Emir Ajagungbade, was a politically connected figure in Osun.
Previous reports identified him as an associate of Governor Adeleke and linked him to the state’s transport-related structures. His name had also featured in earlier legal and political controversies in the state.
In 2024, reports showed that Oyeyemi faced criminal allegations in court, including charges relating to murder, kidnapping and armed robbery. Those were allegations before the court and should not be treated as proof of guilt.
His previous public profile means the latest shooting is likely to attract considerable political and security attention in Osun.
Nevertheless, the circumstances of Sunday’s incident must be determined through evidence from the ongoing investigation rather than through earlier allegations or political claims.
The police investigation will determine whether arrests, charges or further security operations follow.
Authorities will also face the challenge of preventing the incident from triggering retaliatory violence, particularly in areas where rival groups may have existing disputes.
The police have appealed to residents of Ile-Ife and other parts of Osun to cooperate with investigators and provide useful information. The command also reaffirmed its responsibility to protect lives and property and maintain public order.
The governor’s decision to pursue a new framework for managing motor parks could also become an important part of the state’s response if disputes over park control contributed to the unrest.
For now, the central question remains who was responsible for the shooting of Olalekan Oyeyemi and what circumstances led to his death. The police investigation is expected to provide answers as authorities work to prevent further violence in Ile-Ife and across Osun State.
