Kingship tussle claims three lives, houses burnt in Ogun

No fewer than three persons were reported killed while houses and cars were razed in the outbreak of violence over the selection process of a new king in Agosasa, in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the incident.

The incident, as learnt was said to be a result of a lingering tussle over who should be the new monarch following the passage of the last monarch of the town about six months ago.

It was also gathered that the outbreak of the violence started when a section of the community leaders insisted that due process must be followed.

According to multiple sources, had the candidate in question obtained statutory documents, the chieftains wouldn’t have had any reasons for the objection.

“What due process implies is that any candidate in seclusion should have adhered satisfactorily to the rule of law,” they said.

The crisis was reportedly escalated with the death of a popular youth leader who was reportedly shot dead in the heat of the struggle to ensure the emergence of a candidate.

Though the police said one person was killed, some residents who spoke with journalists, claimed that two more persons died during the retaliation by some aggrieved youths who later razed houses and cars of prominent politicians in the community.

The police spokesman in the state stated that houses and vehicles burnt during the violence were owned by the duo of Akeem Adigun and a former council chairman Isiaka Aderounmu.

Oyeyemi said normalcy had been restored in the area while some persons were arrested for their alleged involvement in the crisis.

The Police cautioned the people against resorting to jungle justice in expressing their grievances, advising them to seek legal redress while relying on the approved system for resolving chieftaincy issues.