One feared dead as aggrieved residents set monarch’s palace ablaze in Osun

One person was reportedly shot dead on Wednesday after some aggrieved persons set ablaze the palace of the Akirun of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State.

Trouble started when a group of persons tried to force their way into the palace which had been locked and sealed off with traditional charms but were resisted by some residents of the community.

In the imbroglio that ensued, one person was reported to have been shot dead while part of the palace was set ablaze.

When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said she could not speak on the incident, noting that the police were still gathering information.

The palace of the traditional had been under lock since the state government installed Oba Olalekan Akadiri as Akirun on October 27.

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Some people in the town, who had been calling for a reversal of Akadiri’s appointment and installation, allegedly locked up the palace to deny the installed monarch access to the palace.

On October 27, the Osun State Police Command confirmed that five persons were shot during a protest that greeted the announcement and installation of Akadiri as the new Akirun.

The state government in line with the order of the court ratified the candidature of Akadiri on October 26 at the state’s cabinet meeting.

The announcement sparked protests in the community as the Gboleru ruling house kicked against the announcement.

Opalola said then that injuries sustained by the gunshot victims were not life-threatening, adding that the police had not made any arrests.

She, however, said normalcy was restored in the community.

“Victims were shot during the protest, but peace has returned to the town.

“It started on Wednesday after the state government announced a new Oba for Ikirun, and some youths were said to have stormed the streets in protest.

“A Deputy Commissioner of Police led operatives to the town. Those shot are responding to treatment. Normalcy has returned,” Opalola had said in October.

The Star