Osun monarch flees kingdom as irate youths set palace ablaze

Pandemonium struck at a town in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State when the palace of its new monarch was set ablaze by irate youths protesting his installation.

According to reports, the new royal father Kehinde Oladepo, whose installation as the ‘Salu of Edunabonk was approved by the federal government, left seclusion in the early hours of Wednesday, but was reportedly abducted by the youths.

The monarch was however released from the grip of the youths by policemen who arrived the scene after they received ‎a distress call.

The attack launched by the youths also witnessed the wounding of men loyal to the new monarch identified as Raphel Onifade, Seye Oyelade, Baba Adashi and Adekola Onifade with six other victims reported to be seriously injured.

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Trouble reportedly started when one of the six contestants that Oladepo defeated to become the new monarch identified as Nasiru Adebayo came to town brandishing a letter purportedly signed by the Ooni of Ife in his capacity as the consenting authority, declaring him the new Salu of Edunabon.

Revealing more about the incident which also witnessed violent clashes near the palace of Salu, an eyewitness as Olagunju Ezekiel, said, “because he forcefully entered the palace, those youths that were opposed to his candidature, set the palace on fire and waited for the monarch and his men outside the fence.

“A shopping complex in the front of the palace and offices inside the palace and the main building in the premises, were razed.”

The incident was confirmed by Folasade Odoro, spokesperson for Osun Police Command, who said normalcy has been restored to Salu and arrests have been made.

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