Three killed, houses razed as Ogun community boils over Obaship tussle
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
At least three persons were reportedly killed at Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State as some residents went violent over who becomes the next monarch of the town.
Following the death of the first Oja of Agosasa, Oba James Elegbede, in February 2022, there was said to have been tension over who would take over the throne.
It was gathered that the Obaship tussle got to its climax on Sunday when the youths of Agosasa took to the streets to warn against the installation of an unpopular candidate as the next Oja.
Our correspondent learnt from an anonymous source that “the youths of Agosasa are against the steps being taken by a socialite and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Akeem Adigun, to install a king.
On Sunday, about five persons were reportedly injured and taken to hospital when the face-off started.
“The intervention of soldiers, policemen and traditionalists helped to stop the crisis on Sunday evening. I could not pass through the town while going home,” an Ipokia resident told our correspondent.
The situation, however, got out of hand on Monday with the murder of one Nafiu Amosun, who was said to be the closest ally to the candidate
The Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, did not answer calls to his phone neither did he respond to text messages sent to him.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed the incident, saying one person was confirmed to have been shot dead to the best of his knowledge.
“The incident in Agosasa is an obaship tussle. Unfortunately, one person was shot. We learnt that some houses and vehicles were razed. But our men are there on ground. The operation is being led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations. Normalcy has been restored and our men are on ground to forestall further escalation of the crisis,” Oyeyemi said.
The police spokesman disclosed that some arrests have been made, buy he refused to give further details about those arrested.
Oyeyemi warned that people should not take laws into their hands for any reason.
He stated that the obaship tussle should have been left for the court to address, saying “we don’t need to shed blood because of obaship titles.”
“If everyone in the town had been killed before the installation, who will whoever emerges the king rule over? It doesn’t worth it. Nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of anybody. We should learn how to address issues legally instead of toeing the path of violence. It doesn’t pay anybody,” he advised.
