Olayemi Seun, Reporting
OSOGBO — Panic gripped residents and commuters in parts of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday 20th July, 2026, following reports of gunfire and unrest around the Old Garage area.
This is coming barely one month before the August 15 2026 governorship election in the state.
The disturbance, which reportedly involved individuals linked to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and motor park management, forced many residents, traders and road users to flee the area for safety.
Several eyewitnesses who shared videos and updates from the scene urged members of the public to avoid the Old Garage axis until normalcy was restored.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the disturbance had not been officially confirmed.
While some sources attributed the incident to a leadership dispute over the control of motor parks, others alleged it was connected to attempts by rival groups to take over the management of parks in the state.
Stonix News could not independently verify these claims.
Some residents also mentioned the name of a former transport union leader in connection with the incident.
However, these allegations remain unverified, and no official statement has linked any individual to the unrest.
Later in the day, calm gradually returned following the intervention of personnel of the Nigerian military, who were seen patrolling affected areas.
Residents commended the security operatives for restoring order.
“They came after the shootings had caused panic. Their presence helped restore peace, and we are grateful,” a trader at the Igbonna market area told Stonix News.
A commercial transporter also praised the military’s professionalism, saying their intervention helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
Although some social media posts alleged that armed groups were accompanied by security personnel during the incident, Stonix News has not independently verified these claims, and no official response had been issued by the Nigeria Police Force or the Osun State Government as of press time.
Normal activities had begun to resume in parts of the metropolis by late afternoon, while residents called on security agencies to sustain their presence and ensure lasting peace across the affected motor parks.
