The violence and looting frenzy that trailed the recent #EndSARS protests witnessed across the country did not spare the palaces of some prominent traditional rulers in some parts of the country, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.
for the people of Lagos, Wednesday October 21 would remain an unforgettable day in the annals of the state. It was the day the state came under heavy arsons and destruction of property by hoodlums who allegedly hijacked the #EndSARS protest to unleash anarchy on the state.
As if the destruction of public and private properties was not enough, the hoodlums also unleashed terror on the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu, vandalising the palace and injuring some workers in the palace
Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that the monarch was whisked away from the palace by a team of armed soldiers who responded to the distress calls from the palace.
The hoodlums initially razed the Ebute Ero Police Station before storming Iga Idunganran, the ancient official residence of the Oba on Lagos Island.
It was learnt that two of the hoodlums were killed when they engaged in gun duel with the army as the armed soldiers were able to rescue the monarch.
Many Lagosians were shocked with the trending video of the Oba’s staff being carted away by one of the suspected hoodlums in what was regarded as the desecration of the sacred traditional institution.
“We were shocked and traumatized by the incident. It is unprecedented in the history of the palace which dates back to the 15th century,” a source in the palace said while expressing gratitude to God Almighty that the Oba was safe.
The Oba is in good spirit despite the incident, said the source, a palace official who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity because he was not the official spokesperson of the palace.
Oba Akiolu, according to officials, has decided to keep silent on the desecration of his palace and he has chosen to forgive those who were responsible for the attack on the traditional institution.
But a forum of princes and princesses of Lagos have condemned the desecration of the palace which they said dated to the period of 1670.
The forum said, “Reviewing the damning footage of the violent invasion by these miscreants and vandals, it is disheartening to observe the wanton desecration of our traditional heritage in Lagos. We totally condemn this attack and demand that it ceases immediately and urge the security services to secure the palace.”
They however urged the state government to probe the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
Also speaking with Daily Trust on Sunday, a prince in the state, Tajudeen Olusi who initially said he was not in the mood to comment on the incident condemned the vandalization of the palace.
He said, “Nobody in his right senses would support the vandalization of the palace. My father was a former Oba; my father reigned as Oba, he contributed to the upbringing of that palace; it is an edifice for all of us in Lagos. We are in a most trying period of our history in Lagos particularly.
“Lagos has a unique history; Lagos is one state that accommodates all Nigerians before independence. Still, we have to appeal to the younger people for what has been taking place. We need to talk to them, we need to persuade them, outright condemnation is not really the answer, all those involved, the younger people involved are all our children; we need to talk to them.
According to him, the Oba will continue to live in the midst of the people as the father of the whole community, adding, “We have to call for peace and reconciliation.”
Angry youths had invaded the palace of Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi and abducted him. He was later rescued by security operatives. The irate youths also chased out the chiefs and members of Akire Council from the palace.
The youths were said to be angry over a 27-year-old Obaship tussle in the town and decided to use the avenue of the #ENDSARS protest to vent their anger.
The incident caused panic as residents and indigenes of the town scampered for safety. The youth accused the monarch manipulating the judgment of the Supreme Court which nullified his selection and appointment in 1993.
But in Iwo, the indigenes demonstrated their love for their traditional ruler, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi by guarding his palace from vandals looting under the guise of EndSARS protest.
Early in the morning, some hoodlums and criminal elementd looted Iwo Local Government Council Secretariat and set it ablaze.
They attempted to do the same to the palace of the Oba but the indigenes did not allow them near the Oluwo’s palace.
Speaking on the development, Oba Akanbi said “The indigenes, without the palace knowledge mounted road blocks at every path connecting the palace. They waited to see that person born of human who will unleash terror on their heritage. Our palace is sacred. It is untouchable.”
In Iragbiji, the indigenes also cooperated and prevented looters and vandals at the palace of Aragbiji, Oba Abdul Rasheed Olabomi. Through an arrangement called Iragbiji Community Joint Security Task Force, hunters and other locals protected the town throughout the period of the ENDSARS protest. They succeeded in arresting several criminals and the traditional ruler handed the suspects to the police.
The monarch lauded the Divisional Police Officer in Iragbiji, Saliu Aliu for supporting and cooperating with the local security. He said “The DPO is a professional to the core. His co-operation is unequivocal.”
Oba Olabomi expressed gratitude to people of Iragbiji Community for being patriotic and law abiding.
“To my great security Task Force led by Muritala Afolabi and Waheed Jimoh, I appreciate your commitment. You have used your youthfulness to lift the name of Iragbiji higher,” the monarch said.
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