An associate of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, has been shot dead at a motor park in Ile-Ife, about 24 hours after the Department of State Services (DSS) warned of a possible terrorist attack in the state.

Oyeyemi, an Accord Party chieftain, was reportedly killed on Sunday during a confrontation at the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife.

Reports said the incident was connected to a dispute over control of motor parks in the town. An eyewitness told The Guardian that Oyeyemi was leading his loyalists in an attempt to take control of the Mayfair park when a gun duel broke out.

The violence subsequently spread to motor parks in Sabo and Lagere areas, with residents, traders and passersby fleeing the affected locations as gunshots reportedly continued for more than 20 minutes.

A security source said Oyeyemi and his associates were attacked while meeting with commercial drivers at the park. He was reportedly shot in the head during the confrontation.

The killing came shortly after the DSS briefed Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun about intelligence indicating plans by terrorists to attack public gathering centres, including places of worship, markets and schools.

However, available reports have not established any connection between the motor park killing and the terrorist threat. Reports have instead linked the incident to the dispute over control of the park.

Following the killing, Governor Adeleke ordered the immediate arrest of everyone linked to the incident and directed the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oyeyemi’s death.

The governor also directed rival groups involved in the motor park dispute to vacate the facilities and announced plans to reintroduce a Park Management System to restore order across motor parks in the state.