Police Say Davido Was Target of Osun Convoy Attack That Left Man Dead

The Osun State Police Command has said Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was the alleged target of an attack that erupted around the convoy of his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The revelation has added a new dimension to an incident that initially circulated online as an attack on the governor's convoy.

According to police, preliminary investigations indicate that suspected gang members attempted to gain access to Davido during the governor's visit to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, before the situation escalated into a confrontation involving security personnel.

A 60-year-old man identified as Tajudeen Yusuf was subsequently shot and died after being taken to the University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo, police said.

What Happened at the Palace?

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, shortly after Adeleke received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the Osun State governorship election.

The governor subsequently travelled to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, accompanied by members of his entourage.

Davido was also present.

According to the police account, a man identified as Adebayo Taoreed, popularly known as “Small Rugged,” allegedly attempted to gain access to Davido but was stopped by members of the singer's security team.

Police described Taoreed as an alleged ex-convict and suspected member of the Eiye confraternity. These descriptions are allegations contained in the police account and do not amount to a court finding of guilt.

Confrontation Escalated

The police said the initial confrontation attracted other suspected gang members in the area.

According to the command, the group temporarily blocked the palace entrance and obstructed the movement of the governor's convoy.

The situation subsequently developed into an exchange of gunfire involving suspected attackers and security personnel.

Earlier reports described the shooting as lasting approximately 12 to 15 minutes, with residents and traders in the surrounding area fleeing as gunfire was heard.

The governor himself was not injured.

Some early reports had described the incident simply as an attack on Adeleke's convoy, but the police's subsequent account has shifted attention towards Davido as the alleged target.

One Person Was Killed

Police said the suspected gang members eventually left the immediate area.

However, investigators said that shortly afterwards, Tajudeen Yusuf, 60, was allegedly shot in the Itaolokan area of Osogbo.

A police patrol team reportedly found Yusuf seriously injured and took him to the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

He was later pronounced dead by doctors.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting remain part of the police investigation.

Davido Previously Gave a Different Account

There is an important discrepancy between the initial public account and the police's later findings.

Following the incident, Davido himself appeared to dismiss reports that he and his uncle had been directly attacked.

In a post on X, he described the incident as “a fight outside the palace” and said it had nothing to do with him or the governor.

That statement was made before the police publicly disclosed their preliminary findings identifying Davido as the alleged target.

The difference between the two accounts has consequently become part of the online conversation surrounding the incident.

Why Was Davido in Osogbo?

Davido has played a prominent role in his uncle's recent political campaign.

The singer openly supported Ademola Adeleke during the Osun governorship election, which took place on August 15.

Adeleke ultimately secured re-election, defeating his main challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor received his Certificate of Return from INEC on Wednesday before visiting the traditional ruler's palace.

Davido's political involvement has made him a highly visible figure in the aftermath of the election.

That background has also prompted some speculation online about whether the shooting was politically motivated.

However, the police have not established a political motive in the information publicly released so far.

What Police Are Investigating

The Osun Police Command said it has launched a full-scale investigation and is working to identify and arrest the suspects who fled the scene.

The command also appealed to members of the public with relevant information to contact the police.

Commissioner of Police (Election), Samuel Etaifo, condemned the violence and said the command would use available resources to bring those responsible to justice.

Investigators will now have to establish the sequence of events, identify the individuals involved and determine precisely how the fatal shooting of Yusuf occurred.

What People Are Saying Online

The police revelation has generated a fresh wave of discussion on X and other social platforms.

One major theme is surprise over the claim that Davido, rather than Governor Adeleke, was the alleged target.

Some users are questioning why anyone would attempt to gain access to the singer and how the confrontation escalated into a shooting.

Others are focusing on the 60-year-old man who lost his life, arguing that the fatality should not be overshadowed by the celebrity angle.

There is also debate over the apparent difference between Davido's initial description of the incident as a fight outside the palace and the police's later account that he was allegedly the target.

Another section of the online conversation has attempted to connect the incident to the recently concluded Osun election.

However, there is currently no confirmed evidence establishing that the shooting was politically motivated, and Talk Ya True should avoid presenting speculation on social media as fact.

A Political and Entertainment Story at the Same Time

The incident has attracted unusually broad attention because it sits at the intersection of Nigerian politics and entertainment.

Adeleke had just secured another term as governor, while Davido had been one of the most visible celebrity supporters of his campaign.

The presence of both men at the Ataoja's palace turned what should have been a post-election ceremonial visit into a security incident.

The shooting also highlights the security challenges that can emerge around high-profile political and entertainment figures, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus is now on the police investigation.

Authorities will need to determine who organised the confrontation, whether the people involved were specifically targeting Davido and how the shooting that killed Tajudeen Yusuf unfolded.

For Davido, the incident is another reminder of the security risks that can accompany his increasingly public involvement in Nigerian politics.

For Osun residents, however, the most serious consequence is the death of a 60-year-old man who police say was caught up in the violence.

Until investigators complete their work, several questions remain unanswered.

What is clear at this stage is that police believe Davido was the alleged target of the confrontation, Governor Adeleke escaped unharmed, and one man died after being shot during the ensuing violence.

What X Is Saying

The online conversation is currently centred on four major questions:

“Why Davido?” — Users are debating why the singer was allegedly being targeted.

“Was Adeleke really the target?” — The police account has changed the way many people are interpreting the initial reports.

“What happened to the 60-year-old victim?” — Some users are urging people not to allow the celebrity angle to overshadow the death.

“Was it political?” — Election-related speculation is circulating, but there is currently no official evidence establishing a political motive.

The safest interpretation is therefore to separate confirmed police findings from online speculation while the investigation continues.

Sources

• Osun State Police account reported by P.M. News — preliminary findings identifying Davido as the alleged target and details of the confrontation.

• Leadership — report on the police confirmation that Davido was the alleged target.

• Legit.ng — background on the shooting, the palace visit and the death of Tajudeen Yusuf.

• The Source — report contrasting Davido's initial X statement with the police's later account.

• Channels Television — report on the fatal shooting and police investigation.