Ikire Kingship tussle: Two dead as soldiers, hoodlums clash in Osun

There was tension on Monday, in Ikire in Irewole local government area of Osun state as hoodlums engaged soldiers over kingship tussle in the community.

According to report, several persons were feared dead in the battle.

Source gathered that the hoodlums wanted to attack the palace of Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, were initially repelled by the soldiers from gaining entry into the palace.

It was gathered that the youths were protesting non-implementation of the Supreme Court judgement which declared the continued stay of Oba Olatunde Falabi on the throne as illegal.

The supreme Court had in 2014 ruled it that, it was not the turn of Oba Olatunde Falabi to be on the throne.

Same judgement was also delivered by the state High Court in Ikire few month ago.

The hoodlums, it was gathered, started hurling stones at the soldiers and ambushed them after which they snatched their rifles.

According to the report, the hoodlums collected four guns from the soldiers and injured them in the process.

It was gathered that the injured soldiers were later rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment, adding that the hoodlums were asked to return the rifles within thirty minutes.

The failure of the hoodlums to return the stolen rifles made the soldiers to call for reinforcement and this led to serious shootings between the soldiers and the hoodlums.

An eyewitness said that the hoodlums were reportedly working for a prince of the town who wanted to use the EndSARS protests to cause trouble in the town and take over the palace from the incumbent monarch, Oba Olatunde Falabi.

He said the gun battle led to the death of many residents of the town including some family members of the prince who is purportedly causing chaos in the ancient town.

Another resident, who refused to have his name in print said some armed hoodlums sacked the palace, beat several chiefs and their drivers to stupor and ransacked the whole building.

 He said: “Around 10am today, October 26, 2020, some armed hoodlums sacked the palace, beat several chiefs and their drivers to stupor and ransacked the whole building.

“It took frantic efforts of the security personnel to whisk the royal father away.”

 A young man who simply identified himself as Baba Ayo said: “No fewer than seven people were shot including a soldier during the clash"

“When those hoodlums sacked the palace, six soldiers were sent from the nearby Ede barracks to placate the tensed situation and appeal to the miscreants.

“On getting there, the hoodlums attacked the soldiers, stoned and beat them. Two of them managed to escape but luck ran out of the remaining.

“Their rifles were snatched, their uniforms were taken off and their vehicle was totally destroyed.

“two of them were later reportedly killed. I know we are in trouble as the soldiers would definitely remobilize and come back in full force.”

A source said, At least two people have reportedly died.

Speaking, Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Yemisi Opalola said “truly there was a crisis in Ikire but we are still for the report.” Meanwhile, VOICE AIR MEDIA has previously reported that angry youths on Friday, October 23rd, burst the Warehouse known as Cocoa House in the Ede area of Osun state and looted various food items kept in it.

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