Obaship Tussle: Three killed, houses burnt in Agosasa

One of the houses and vehicles burnt

By Niyi Ogungbola

At least,three people have been reportedly killed in Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State following the unresolved crisis over who becomes the traditional ruler of the town.

First Awareness reports that, the first Oja of Agosasa, Oba James Elegbede, joined his ancestors in February 2022,and since then, there have been tension over who succeed him as the monarch of the town.

It was gathered that the Obaship tussle got to its climax on Sunday when the youths of Agosasa took to the streets to warn against the installation of an unpopular candidate as the next Oja.

First Awareness further learnt from an anonymous source that “the youths of Agosasa were against the steps allegedly taken by a business tycoon and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Akeem Adigun,(aka) Socopao to install a new king for town.

On Sunday, about five persons were reportedly injured and taken to hospital when the face-off started.

“The intervention of soldiers, policemen and traditionalists helped to stop the crisis on Sunday evening. I could not pass through the town while going home,” an Ipokia resident told our correspondent.

The situation, however, got out of hand on Monday with the murder of one Nafiu Amosun, who was said to be the closest ally to the candidate being supported by the youths of Agosasa.

The angry youths alleged that the said Nafiu Amosun was shot dead near the Afa river by the other faction and this triggered the current chaos in the community.

As of Monday evening, houses and vehicles belonging to Akeem Adigun; a former council Chairman and appointee of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Isiaka Aderounmu and others were set on fire by some angry youths.

Also,our source hinted that, two more persons were  killed, making a total of three lives lost in the melee.

“At the moment, Agosasa is like a ghost town with heavy presence of soldiers and policemen. Residents are indoors and those who could flee had left the town. Some are running away through the forest. It is getting out of hand,” another source said in confidence.

It was gathered that chiefs and elders of the town are also on the run over fear that their houses might be razed.

Meanwhile, sons and daughters of Ipokia Local Government have taken to the social media to call for calm, asking the State Government to take an urgent step to restore peace in Agosasa.

“There is war in Agosasa. This is not a joke. The Ogun State Government should stay action on Agosasa obaship issue for now," an elder advised.

Meanwhile,the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed the incident, saying one person was confirmed to have been shot dead to the best of his knowledge.

“The incident in Agosasa is an obaship tussle. Unfortunately, one person was shot. We learnt that some houses and vehicles were razed. But our men are there on ground. The operation is being led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations. Normalcy has been restored and our men are on ground to forestall further escalation of the crisis,” Oyeyemi said.

The police spokesman disclosed that some arrests have been made, but he refused to give further details about those arrested.

Oyeyemi warned that people should not take laws into their hands for any reason.

He stated that the obaship tussle should have been left for the court to address, saying “we don't need to shed blood because of obaship titles.”

“If everyone in the town had been killed before the installation, who then,the Oba to be will rule over? It doesn't worth it. Nobody's ambition is worth the blood of anybody. We should learn how to address issues legally instead of toeing the path of violence. It doesn't pay anybody,” he advised.