Minister, monarch rescued as hoodlums vandalise palace in Ogbomosho

A day after the alleged killing of a youth in Ogbomoso, Isiaka Jimoh by the police, angry mob on Sunday evening invaded the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Jimoh Ajagungbade and vandalised property there.

The irate youths were said to have gained entry into the sitting room and adjoining rooms of the palace.

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The secretary of the monarch, Toyin Ajamu, in a statement, confirmed the attack.

He said: “We had been trying to appease the protesters since morning. The protesters, who introduced themselves as students, came to the palace on Saturday and we addressed them. We learned that one person died in the process.

“Today, some of the aggrieved youth set to burn fire at the various junction leading to the police station. To prevent the matter from degenerating, Kabiyesi directed some of his chiefs to appease the protesters but they started stoning whoever came their way and threw tyres into the station.”

“The Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, visited the palace shortly before the attack on the palace while returning from the visit to the family of the deceased.

“They shattered windscreens of vehicles in the palace, vandalised the palace and burnt down a motorcycle.

“We were only saved because there were burglar proofs on the windows. Nobody was injured but about 10 vehicles were vandalised, including the vehicle of Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, Ogbomoso North Zone Rev. Tayo Adeyanju.

“The police were running for dear life so they couldn’t respond on time.

“Luckily, Kabiyesi escaped because the meeting was being held at the dining section and not the sitting room. The protesters were not able to get to where the meeting was being held.”

The minister, on his twitter handle, also confirmed the attack, saying: “Ogbomoso- Hoodlums, thugs and miscreants disrupt stakeholders meeting in Soun’s palace now -invading, stoning and breaking doors, glasses.

“Soun, myself, and council chiefs were scurried into safety by the police and Department of State Services.

“The hoodlums broke into the palace and destroyed chairs, overturned tables, broke windows. These were not youths or students. These were miscreants and thugs who saw a window of opportunity in the protest which (was) since abated. Thankfully, Soun, the chiefs, leaders of Parapo are safe.”