80 –Year Old Man Killed In Ekiti Community Crisis Over Monarch’s Arrest
An 80 year old man identified as Chief Bello Ojo, lost his life following a violent protest that engulfed Ifon Ekiti in Oye local government over the arrest and detention of the traditional ruler of the community, Oba Lawrence Bamidele Idowu, by the police for alleged impersonation.
The deceased’s daughter, Mrs. Bunmi Fajana, alleged that her late father who was the Elejoka of Ibalogun of the community, was manhandled while trying to rescue his 14 year old son from some people suspected to be thugs.
The arrest, it was gathered from a source, was effected by officers of the command attached to SARS who reportedly stormed the community and took suspects, including the monarch, to the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti.
The source alleged that the police, who came around 4 am in a pick up vehicle marked ‘SARS’, allegedly vandalized some of the property at Idowu’s palace before gaining entrance to arrest the monarch.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto Adeyemi, said the old man slumped and died while in company of others who were going to inspect property vandalized during the unrest.
He also said Idowu would be charged to court for impersonation.
According to the PPRO, the community already had a traditional ruler recognized by the state government alleging that Idowu came from Ogun state to install himself as another king.
Adeyemi added, “The real Olufon was installed and is recognized by the state government. But he (Idowu) came from Ogun state and installed himself as another Oba against the tradition of the community and law of the country.
