Osun Motor Park Killing Raises Fresh Security Fears After DSS Warning

By Shafii Haruna

A close associate of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olalekan Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir, has been shot dead in a motor park in Ile-Ife, barely a day after the Department of State Services (DSS) warned religious leaders about an alleged plan to unleash violence in the state and other parts of the South-West.

Ajagungbade was reportedly lured to a motor park in Ile-Ife for a meeting on Sunday before he was attacked and shot in the head.

The National Lens reports that his death has heightened tension in parts of Osun, particularly against the backdrop of renewed disputes over the control of motor parks and the DSS warning of possible terrorist attacks aimed at destabilising the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The deceased, who was described as an ally of Governor Adeleke and a member of the Accord Party, was reportedly involved in a struggle over the control of motor parks in the state.

The circumstances surrounding the killing remained unclear as of Sunday, although the incident has been linked to an ongoing power struggle within the transport sector.

The development came shortly after the DSS held separate meetings with Muslim and Christian leaders in Osogbo, warning of intelligence indicating that terrorists were seeking to infiltrate parts of the South-West and create insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.

The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed that the meeting with the DSS took place and urged residents to remain vigilant.

He said the security agency had provided religious leaders with preventive measures to help guard against possible attacks.

Reacting to the killing, Governor Adeleke directed the police and other security agencies to immediately identify and arrest everyone connected with the incident.

The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the motor park dispute to vacate the parks, while directing security agencies to restore order.

Adeleke further announced plans to reintroduce the Park Management System across Osun State, saying an Executive Order would soon be issued to provide the legal framework for managing motor parks and garages.

“Law and order must be maintained. There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book,” the governor said.

The killing adds to growing security concerns around Osun motor parks, where clashes linked to transport union activities have repeatedly raised tensions in recent months. The governor had previously warned against violence in the state's motor parks and threatened to reconsider the existing arrangement for their management.

For now, security agencies face the immediate task of determining whether Ajagungbade's killing was solely connected to the motor park dispute or whether it has any connection with the broader security threats highlighted in the recent DSS warning.