The monarchy tussle in Araromi-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, which escalated into a crisis in the community, has claimed two lives.
The situation was said to have been developing since last week before it eventually snowballed into a full-blown crisis on Tuesday with the razing of cars by the aggrieved party in the tussle.
A resident in the community, Ismail Olaoye, also disclosed that mercenaries hired by the aggrieved party set fire to an access road into the town to prevent security operatives from entering.
It was also gathered that some hoodlums waylaid a batch of security operatives deployed to the community inflicting injuries on some personnel.
Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that five persons had been killed in the crisis while houses and cars were set ablaze by the rampaging hoodlums on the ground that the monarch-designate for the community is not qualified.
“The aggrieved group was laying claim to the throne of the community when another person had been appointed and was in seclusion already. This sparked the violent protest for days before it degenerated into crisis,” the source added.
The Osun police command spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, while confirming the incident, said mobile police force has been deployed to the town along with a special police unit to restore peace.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security, Barrister Samuel Ojo said only two casualties have been recorded, not five as claimed by some sources, adding that the crisis would have been brutal if not for government intervention some days ago.
“We have intervened in the situation since five days ago and managed to not become very brutal. Only two persons have been killed, not five, and presently, all the heads of security outfits in the state are already aware and working to restore law and order in the community,” he added.
