Oba flees, loses crown as hoodlums sack palace

The Alaagba of Aagba, Oba Rufus Ogunwole, narrowly escaped death as hoodlums invaded his palace and vandalised the building before destroying vehicles parked within the premises among other important items.

Our correspondent gathered that the hoodlums first stormed the palace on Wednesday evening and went back  later after destroying some valuables.

Not satisfied with the level of destruction at their first attempt, the miscreants, who were identified to be operating under the name of ‘Odo Oru’, which literally means night youths, returned to complete the destruction of the palace.

The youths, according to a palace source, carted away a crown, beaded walking stick and other paraphernalia of office of  the monarch before they went away.

It was learnt that the attack on the palace and some other places inside the town had political undertone.

Armed security personnel have beefed up security in the town and normalcy has since restored in the troubled community.

vehicles, including one Toyota Venza, and Toyota Camry were completely destroyed while several beaded crowns and staff were also carted away.

Houses of some chiefs in the community, including the residence  of Eesa of Aagba, Chief James Bamigbola, were  attacked and his car was also vandalised. .

A resident of the town who identified himself as  Oluseye Aborisade, told our correspondent that the monarch was believed to be a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, saying that was why he was attacked.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election in Osun State, Mr. Sam Okaula, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

Okaula said 10 suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence, adding that they would be charged to court if found culpable.