Days after the incident, the Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a man for breaching the Ataoja’s palace perimeter, clarifying that the suspect had no intent to harm Ataoja of Osogbo.
OsunReporter News recalls the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun (Larooye ll) earlier alleged palace invasion on June 3rd, 2026 by suspected criminal, calling for peace in Osogbo as the Osun governorship election is drawing nearer.
However, some eyewitnesses who are shop owners beside the palace’s fence who anonymously revealed to the OsunReporters News Correspondent, confirmed that the incident happened at their presence around 9:30 at night when the suspect scaled the palace fence and gained unauthorized access.
Some eyewitnesses confirmed that they raised the alarm by calling the attention of the palace’s domestic staff immediately.
“I was about to close at my shop that night when it happened. I was part of those who raised my voice but it seems the palace domestic workers were already in their rooms. It took extra effort before people in the palace were aware of the matter. I don’t know what later happened inside the palace because I closed for the day and left immediately,” eyewitness anonymously said.
Another shop owner also recounts how the incident happened, “I have closed that night, I was about to stop Okada that will take me and children back home, and a man appeared drunk just came and mounted the palace fence and gained access immediately.
“I called some palace workers on the phone but they were not responded. I and those around who witnessed how the man jumped the fence started shouting and calling the attention of the palace, that was how some of them came out of their rooms.
“But I was told the following morning that he jumped into the area of the palace where some ram were tied, and those rams knocked him till he was injured, and later took to the hospital.
“Let me add this, it was Kabiesi Ataoja that paid the hospital bill of the suspect. But what we’re hearing from some people and even seeing in the social media are contrary to what really happened, though the truth has finally prevailed,” another shop owner recounted.
However, in a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed breaching the palace perimeter, but dismissed reports of an alleged assassination attempt on the Ataoja of Osogbo. He explained that preliminary investigations into the June 3rd incident found no evidence to support claims of an assassination plot.
The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Semilola Monday, popularly known as Ankara, reportedly scaled the palace fence and gained unauthorized access in the early hours of the day (8:45AM), and later fled the scene after being confronted by palace residents and domestic staff.
According to the police, the suspect was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for his actions when challenged, prompting a pursuit during which he sustained injuries. He was subsequently taken to the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital in Osogbo for treatment.
Following his recovery, Monday admitted to unlawfully entering the palace but denied any intention to attack the monarch or any other individual. He attributed his actions to excessive substance intake.
Further findings by a police investigative committee, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Suleiman Bayonle, revealed that the suspect was not armed at the time of the incident.
“The suspect was not in possession of any f!rearm or offensive weapon at the time of his arrest,” the police confirmed.
The command disclosed that Monday was arraigned before Magistrate Court II in Osogbo on June 8 on a charge of attempted felony and has since been remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
Police authorities have called on members of the public and palace officials with additional information to come forward, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
At the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, while efforts to curb criminal activities across the state remain intact.
