One Fear Dead as Arsonists Burns Akirun’s Palace
By Bukola Elufadejin
One person has been reportedly shot dead during a free for all on Wednesday near the Palace of the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Olalekan Akadiri, in Osun State.
It was also learnt that a section of the palace was equally burnt by some suspected arsonists during the incident.
An eye witness, Tajudeen Gboleru who described himself as elder brother of the deceased, whose name was identified as Lukman Olatunji, while speaking, said his brother was shot dead when some security men were attempting to enter the Akinrun’s palace.
The palace had been under lock since Oba Akadiri was installed as the Akinrun, with dissenting voices in the town calling for a reversal of his appointment and installation by the state Government.
The crisis rocking the town over the Akinrun stool however reached its peak 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 of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, three firemen from the Osun State Fire Service were injured on their way to put out the fire 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.
