Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has condemned the alleged act of brigandage that occurred during a ceremony at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji on Monday.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Yomi Layinka, the governor directed security agencies to ensure that the masterminds are swiftly arrested, interrogated and brought to justice.
He vowed not to brook anyone or group of people desirous of bringing back the regime of violence and brigandage to the state.
Ajimobi reiterated his commitment to the security and protection of lives and properties of all citizens of Oyo State, which he said that his administration laboured hard to restore and maintain in the last six years.
Oyo State Commissioner of Police Abiodun Odude said his men reported that some gunmen in a Toyota Sienna Bus passed by, shooting into the air but that there was no injury or death.
The commissioner, who did not say if any arrest had been made, vowed to get to the root of the matter.
He said: “I got a report from my men who were around in the area. A report was lodged at the Mapo Police Station. The report had it that some men in a Toyota Sienna bus passing by were shooting into the air but that there was no injury or death.”
When asked if any arrest had been made, the police boss said: “We are investigating.”
Five yet-to-be identified gunmen invaded the Olubadan palace at Popoyemoja in Ibadan where the monarch was conducting an installation ceremony of newly appointed traditional rulers.
The gunmen, who arrived the scene in a space bus, fired gunshots but no casualty was recorded in the incident.
One of the gunmen was said to have released volleys of gunshots into the air via the open roof of the vehicle, while others reportedly shot through windows of the vehicle.
An eyewitness said the gunmen wore black clothes and tied red clothes around their heads displaying pump action rifles and
A-K47 rifles.
Men of the state joint security task force `Operations Burst’ arrived the palace within five minutes of the incidence to restore normalcy.
The incident had occurred at a time when the monarch was about to commence the installation of four new Baales (village heads) in his palace.
