Ondo monarch raises alarm over attack on palace, seeks protection

• Ondo govt sets up reconciliation committee
• Akeredolu plans memorial park for victims of Owo attack

The traditional ruler and spiritual head of Ayetoro Community in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State, Oba Micah Ajijo, has raised the alarm over the invasion and destruction of his palace by some hoodlums.

Ajijo, who is the Ogeloyinbo of the community, alleged over the weekend that property worth millions of naira was destroyed during the siege on his palace.

According to him, the move was an attempt to abduct, kill, and forcibly remove him from the throne by some members of the community.

In a letter addressed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the development, the monarch identified a self-styled prophet in the community as the brain behind his travail, recalling that his predicament started shortly after he ascended the throne.

The monarch, therefore, demanded “urgent mobilisation of a joint task force” for the Ayetoro community to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, the governor has set up a reconciliation committee to look into the frequent crises occasioned by the leadership tussle and the oil spill compensation paid to the Ayetoro community.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, stated that the constitution of the committee aimed at finding lasting peace to the ravaging crisis in Ayetoro community.

In another development, Akeredolu, at the weekend, commenced the construction of a memorial park in honour of the slain victims of June 5, 2022, horrific attack at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo.

Akeredolu, while inspecting the memorial park located in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Council, said that his administration was determined not to forget the souls that were caught short in the deadly attack.

The governor hinted that the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who visited Owo to commiserate with the state and the people after the incident, would be invited to commission the project when it is completed.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Land and Housing, Raimi Aminu, commended the governor for honouring the departed souls, stressing that the memorial park will be completed before the end of May this year.

“The government has decided to site at this location a befitting memorial park in remembrance of those departed souls. It is going to be a befitting one, well-drawn, and one that can compete with others throughout the world.

“Apart from that, the government also has intention of siting museums and other things around this area. So, this is going to be a centre of attraction after completion, and it will beautify the city, and at the same time, those people that lost their lives will be remembered for life.

“Anyone that passes here will know that something happens at so and so date. All things being equal, by God’s grace, this project will be completed before May 2023.”