One killed as arsonists raze Osun monarch’s palace

One killed as arsonists raze Osun monarch’s palace

One Lukman Olatunji was, on Wednesday, reportedly shot dead near the palace of Akinrun of Ikirun, in Osun State, during a fight.

It was also learnt that a section of the palace was also razed by some suspected arsonists during the incident.

Tajudeen Gboleru, an elder brother of the deceased, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said his brother was shot dead when some security men were attempting to enter Akinrun Palace.

The palace had been under lock since Oba Olalekan Akadiri was installed as Akinrun, with dissenting voices in the town calling for a reversal of his appointment and installation.

The crises rocking the town over the Akinrun stool however reached the peak during Wednesday’s incident, when an attempt was made to unlock the palace.

Speaking further on the circumstances surrounding the incident, Gboleru said “a person trying to enter the palace had come to the area with a lot of policemen and soldiers. One of the security men must have fired the shot.”

Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, could not be reached for comment, as calls to her line rang out and she has not responded to a text message sent to her on the matter as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, three firemen from Osun State Fire Service were injured on their way to put out a fight at the palace of Akinrun after an attack on the premises by suspected arsonists.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Ibrahim Adekunle, said those injured were rushed to hospital for treatment, adding that the firemen responding to a distress call from the palace had to abandon their truck after they were attacked.