Two people have been confirmed dead in the crises that erupted in Araromi Owu, Osun State, over a vacant stool in the agrarian community.
The Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security, Mr Samuel Ojo, confirmed this in an interview with journalists on Tuesday.
He said the crisis started on Saturday.
Ojo, who said security men had been deployed to the scene, however, said two casualties had been recorded in the crises, though their identities were not disclosed.
He said, “I have directed all commanders to draft their men to that place. We have been on it for the past three to four days. We never knew it would snowball into this situation.
“So, all the service commanders have been informed accordingly to draft their men to the place immediately as directed by Mr Governor. There are two casualties already.”
Meanwhile, hoodlums said to have laid ambush at the entrance to the town on Tuesday, reportedly attacked vehicle conveying men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were deployed to maintain peace in the community, injuring some of the operatives.
A security source, who preferred anonymity since he was not authorised to comment on the development, said some of the injured operatives could not be accessed by the backup team sent by the Osun NSCDC command.
He said, “Some hoodlums hiding in the bush attacked NSCDC men that were going into Araromi Owu to maintain peace. Their vehicle was attacked and some of the operatives were injured. They can not be reached immediately, but backup has been deployed to the area. The situation is still very tense.
“Two people were killed already. A resident of Araromi Owu and a security personnel were the casualties.”
Spokesperson for the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Kehinde Adeleke, could not be reached for further clarification on the incident as calls to her number could not be completed.
She had not also replied a text message sent to her on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
But, the Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, who said riot policemen and men drawn from tactical teams from the command had been drafted to the area, promised to provide an update later.
Providing information about the cause of the crises, a resident of Araromi Owu, who asked not to be mentioned for security reasons, said, “It was caused by a chieftaincy tussle. Araromi Owu is a settlement in Ago Owu in Ayedaade South LCDA.
“The bone of contention is that an indigene of Orile Owu is being made a Baale of Araromi Owu but some settlers, majorly from Ibadan, are opposing the choice of the appointed Baale claiming that, they are also entitled to the throne.
“The appointed Baale was at Ilofi (seclusion), where traditional rites were performed on him. But the settlers are insisting that he would not be allowed to reign.”
Punch
