The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into the killing of a former unit chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewole, who was attacked by suspected hoodlums in Osogbo on Sunday.
The incident reportedly sparked anxiety across parts of the state capital, with tension building around some motor parks as associates of the deceased were said to have moved around in search of those linked to the attack.
Oyewole, who served as part-time chairman of the NURTW Aregbe Unit between 2018 and 2022, was said to have been assaulted in the afternoon around the Elelede Junction area of Osogbo.
Details of the incident remained sketchy as of press time, but a resident who witnessed the episode from a distance said a group of hoodlums had gathered at the junction, allegedly harassing passersby under the pretext of raising funds for a carnival.
According to the witness, two people who arrived on a motorcycle were reportedly accosted by the group, leading to a scuffle before gunshots were heard, leaving Oyewole dead while the second person escaped with injuries.
A shop owner in the area, identified simply as Basira, said commercial activities around Elelede Junction were abruptly halted as fear spread following the violence.
She added that NURTW members who later arrived at the scene identified the deceased as Oyewole, a former part-time chairman of a union unit along the Osogbo–Gbongan Road in the Aregbe area.
Our correspondent, who visited Old Garage and Aregbe motor parks on Sunday evening, observed low human traffic as residents stayed away over fears of possible reprisals, while the presence of suspected hoodlums was also noticed.
Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command had commenced a full investigation, noting that security operatives were monitoring motor parks to prevent any escalation.