By Jumoke Adeogun, Abeokuta
There was complete pandemonium in Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State has three people were killed and many properties destroyed
which has led to the killing of no fewer than three persons, with many properties destroyed.
The pandemonium started when some residents went violent over Obaship tussle within the town.
There has been tension in the town on who becomes the Oja of Agosasa following the death of the first Oja of Agosasa, Oba James Elegbede, in February 2022.
The 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 of Agosasa.
The source who wants anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue said, “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, popularly called Sokopao, to install a king.
About five persons were reportedly injured and taken to hospital when the face-off reportedly started on Sunday.
“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,” the source said.
It was also gathered that the situation got out of hand, Monday, when one Nafiu Amosun, who was said to be a close ally to a candidate being supported by the youths of Agosasa, was killed.
The angry youths alleged that the said Nafiu was shot dead near the Afa river by the other faction, the development which triggered the current chaos in the community.
The angry youth, it was gathered, invaded a house belonging to Sokopao destroying cars and other properties in the house.
A former council chairman and an appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Isiaka Aderounmu and others also suffered loss of properties in the unrest.
“At the moment, Agosasa is like a ghost town with heavy presence of soldiers and policemen. Residents are indoors as those who could flee are already on their ways out of the town. Some are running away through the forest. It is getting out of hand,” another source said.
It was gathered that chiefs and elders of the town are also on the run over fear that their houses might be razed.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident.
He however said only 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, but did not give details of the arrest.
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.
The pandemonium started when some residents went violent over Obaship tussle within the town.
There has been tension in the town on who becomes the Oja of Agosasa following the death of the first Oja of Agosasa, Oba James Elegbede, in February 2022.
The 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 of Agosasa.
The source who wants anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue said, “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, popularly called Sokopao, to install a king.
About five persons were reportedly injured and taken to hospital when the face-off reportedly started on Sunday.
“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,” the source said.
It was also gathered that the situation got out of hand, Monday, when one Nafiu Amosun, who was said to be a close ally to a candidate being supported by the youths of Agosasa, was killed.
The angry youths alleged that the said Nafiu was shot dead near the Afa river by the other faction, the development which triggered the current chaos in the community.
The angry youth, it was gathered, invaded a house belonging to Sokopao destroying cars and other properties in the house.
A former council chairman and an appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Isiaka Aderounmu and others also suffered loss of properties in the unrest.
“At the moment, Agosasa is like a ghost town with heavy presence of soldiers and policemen. Residents are indoors as those who could flee are already on their ways out of the town. Some are running away through the forest. It is getting out of hand,” another source said.
It was gathered that chiefs and elders of the town are also on the run over fear that their houses might be razed.
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, confirmed the incident.
He however said only 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, but did not give details of the arrest.
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.
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