Oba abducted in palace invasion over 27 year fight for kingship

Some angry youths on Monday invaded the Palace of Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, and abducted him.

Daily Trust learnt that the youths were angry over a 27-year-old Obaship tussle in the town and decided to use the ENDSARS period to vent their anger.

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The irate youths also chased the chiefs and members of Akire Council out from the palace.

The incident cause panic in the town as residents and indigenes of the town scampered for safety, particularly in the palace area.

The youth said the monarch manipulated the judgement of Supreme Court which nullified his selection and appointment in 1993.

In 2014, the Supreme Court in a judgement delivered by Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria faulted the appointment of Oba Falabi as Akire of Ikireland.

Attempt by the former Governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, to implement the judgement failed as the monarch ran to a High Court to seek interpretation of the decision of the Supreme Court.

The High Court in Ikire gave a judgement on the matter and it was not in favour of the monarch.

Oba Falabi was not satisfied with the position of the High Court and thereafter proceeded to the Appealed Court.

The case is still at the Appellate Court.

Given the EndSARS agitation which created room for sort of anarchy, the irate youths in Ikire stormed the palace and abducted the monarch.

Soldiers and other law enforcement agents were eventually deployed to Ikire from Osogbo, the state capital, to rescue the monarch.

The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident.

The PPRO said the security agents were able to rescue the traditional ruler from the youths and assured that law and order would be restored in the town.