Hoodlums set another palace ablaze days after Adeleke dethrones monarchs in Osun

Hoodlums have reportedly set ablaze the palace of Aree of Iree in Boripe North Local Council Development Area of Osun State.

The latest incident is coming barely a few weeks after some hoodlums set the palace of Akirun of Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Council Area of the state on fire after it was placed under lock and key.

One of the princes in the community, Lukman Olatunji was said to have been shot dead during the crisis at the palace of Akirun of Ikirun

However, reports on Friday, December 2, 2022, said youths were displeased about the arrest of the Aogun of Iree, Chief Soliu Atoyebi, by security agents on Thursday morning.

Expressing their grievance, the mob reportedly invaded the palace around 7.00 PM yesterday when the traditional ruler, Oba Ponle Ademola, was said to be out of the palace.

They vandalized the palace before setting it ablaze, says the report. According to The PUNCH, the incident led to the blockage of major roads leading to the town, while the aggrieved youths made burn fires on the roads.

The chaotic event also forced business owners in the town to lock up their shops immediately while residents locked themselves up for safety measures.

Yemisi Opalola, the police spokesperson in Osun, could not be immediately reached for comment on the incident.

Several calls made to Ms Opalola’s official mobile line were not connecting at the time of filing this report.

Recall that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Monday, hours after his inauguration, issued an Executive Order, setting aside the appointment and enthronement of three traditional rulers, Aare of Iree, Akirun of Ikirun and Owa of Igbajo.

The governor also directed that the palaces of the three traditional rulers should be locked up, while security agents should take charge of the palaces to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

It was gathered that there had been palpable fear in Iree Town following the appointment and approval of Prince Ponle Ademola as the Aree of Iree by the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola.

Some ruling houses and groups in the town had rejected the selection of Ademola, alleging that he was imposed on the people by officials in the Oyetola’s administration.