Chieftaincy Tussle: Armed Residents Chase Osun Monarch From Palace, Engaged Soldiers

Some angry residents and armed hoodlums on Monday invaded the palace of the Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, in the Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State.

The monarch who was the target was eventually ferried away by soldiers but but the military men had to reinforce before they were able to break the resiliennce of the hoodlums.

Some residents said the attack was caused by a lingering chieftaicy title in the town.

The attackers, who were said to be protesting against the non-implementation of the Supreme Court judgement which, they claimed, sacked Oba Falabi from the throne, were said to have engaged security guards at the palace and overpowered them.

Some soldiers were reported to have stormed the palace to save the monarch from his angry subjects but they also engaged the soldiers by hurling stones and other dangerous missiles at them.

The attack was said to have forced the soldiers to reinforce and returned to the palace to rescue the Oba.

The hoodlums were said to have opened fire on the police armour personnel carrier stationed in front of the palace but the soldiers eventually overpowered the attackers and ferried the monarch to safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the attack.

She also confirmed that the police APC was shot at by the hoodlums but said there was no death recorded.

The PPRO said, “Our armour personnel carrier was shot at by the hoodlums during the attack. But security operatives eventually rescued the king and was taken to a safe place.

“Peace has been restored to the community as security agents are now on the ground to maintain law and order.”

The Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr Remilekun Abass, also clarified that the attack was not related to #EndSARS protest or looting but was a chieftaicy tussle.