Royal Rumble: The Deadly Clash In Araromi Owu

• NSCDC Officer, One Other Killed, Properties Destroyed Over Chieftaincy Tussle

• Palace, Houses Torched, Cars Damaged

• Why Crisis Degenerated – Olowu Of Orile-Owu

The dust is yet to settle on the deadly chieftaincy clash that engulfed Araromi Owu, a community in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that the clash, which sources noted started some months ago, snowballed into a full-blown crisis on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident claimed two lives, many were injured, and properties worth millions of naira went with it.

The Palace of the Olu of Araromi Owu was also torched during the fracas.

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Shittu Kehinde, and a civilian whose identity is yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report were killed during the clash, which lasted hours.

OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that the first batch of security operatives deployed to the community were waylaid by hoodlums who opened fire on them and left some personnel with injuries.

The issue, the medium gathered, was a result of the tussle on the kingship of Araromi Owu after the demise of the late monarch of the community, Nathaniel Oyetunji.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that one Sikirulahi Oyeyemi was picked as the Oyetunji’s successor and was in seclusion when the hoodlums went on a rampage.

Sources who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER alleged that Oyeyemi is an indigene of an adjoining community, Orile Owu; a situation that does not sit well with the people of Araromi Owu.

A video shared on social media and obtained by the medium showed some buildings being burnt while some cars, including a Lexus jeep, were also damaged beyond repair.

One of the sources, a resident of Araromi Owu, who does not want his name in print said the hoodlums who burnt the palace also destroyed other properties.

“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 the 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,” the source hinted.

• Security Agents Take Over

Meanwhile, a combined team of security operatives has taken over the community to forestall another crisis.

A top security source told OSUN DEFENDER that peace has relatively returned to the community, warning that the operatives have been instructed to deal with anyone wanting to foment trouble.

“I can confirm to you that we security agents are in the community and people are going about their businesses without any issue.

“We are here to stop any further clash and whoever tries to cause problem will be properly dealt with. We won’t allow the breakdown of law again in the community,” the security agent who preferred not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter stressed.

READ: Palace Burnt, Two Dead As Chieftaincy Crisis Erupts Araromi Owu

• Why Crisis Degenerated – Olowu of Orile-Owu

Speaking on what led to the deadly clash, the Olowu of Orile Owu, Oba Dauda Adebimpe Akinfalabi, said the people of Araromi Owu who are settlers from Ibadan in Oyo State, have made several attempts to have their monarch elevated to a Second Class traditional ruler in Osun State.

Oba Akinfalabi explained that moves around the elevation from the status of a Village Head had been on since 1934, when the late Oba Peter Adekunle, the then Olowu of Orile Owu, gave them land for farming and payment of annual tributaries.

The royal father, who spoke to newsmen in his palace said some people had earlier forged his letterhead and signature as the Consenting Authority in the area and wrote the state government that the Olu of Araromi had been recognised as a Second Class King and presented the same to the government for approval.

The Olowu of Orile Owu noted that the said document was being investigated by the security agencies when the late natural ruler of Araromi Owu, Nathaniel Oyetunji joined his ancestors and Alhaji Sikirulahi Oyeyemi was chosen as the next traditional ruler of the town.

According to the monarch, Oyeyemi was in seclusion on July 19, 2024, when some people allegedly from Ibadan stormed the town for the installation of another person.

The traditional ruler added that they retreated for more reinforcement when they learnt that a monarch had been selected and was already undergoing ritual rites in seclusion.

He alleged that the said people came back with thugs and some security operatives to invade the seclusion but were resisted by Oyeyemi’s supporters, a situation which led to the violence.

The monarch who said he had written a petition to the Commissioner of Police, alleged that a prominent person in the community who wanted to install himself as the monarch and had earlier approached the state High Court for declarative and injunctive orders led the thugs to cause chaos.

• Govt Sues For Peace, Halts Selection Process

Meanwhile, the state government has sued for peace in Orile Owu and Araromi Owu communities.

Governor Ademola Adeleke also approved and directed that security operatives should be stationed in the areas and protect the communities by maintaining law and order.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in a statement, confirmed that many properties were lost to the violent confrontation.

While calling for calm, Alimi said, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved and directed that security operatives should immediately be stationed in the areas and protect the communities by maintaining law and order.”

The statement read, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for calm between Orile Owu and Araromi Owu communities in Ayedaade local Government area of Osun State.

“He also announced that the government has ordered that the chieftaincy selection process which caused the communal clash, be henceforth suspended.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has also directed the Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Ojo, to mobilise security operatives to the towns to maintain law and order, that anyone caught not abiding by the law is to be arrested and prosecuted appropriately.

“The government has the duty of protecting the lives and properties of the people of Araromi Owu and Orile Owu in Ayedaade local government, hence directing that any act or movement contrary to peace, and which may lead to a breakdown of law and order in the communities, is not acceptable.

“The government particularly commiserates with the families of those who lost their properties in the communal clash and added that the rift will be duly investigated.

“The government reiterates that peace is germane in every environment, and assured Osun residents of security, while also calling for the support of residents, and urged everyone to embrace peace.”

• Slain NSCDC Officer Laid To Rest

The remains of the NSCDC officer killed during the crisis, Shittu Kehinde was on Wednesday, laid to rest in Osogbo.

Kehinde, popularly called Kenwask, was laid to rest according to Islamic rites after a short prayer was conducted in his honour.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that he died on the spot while other officers of the agency who were also at the scene of the chieftaincy clash sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The deceased was among the 159 new intakes of the NSCDC.

He was survived by his wife and children.