Three killed, houses burnt in Ogun over Obaship tussle in Agosasa

Govt deploys security agencies, assures residents of safety
Following the violence that erupted in Agosasa area of Ipokia Local Council, which led to the death of three people, and burning of houses, Ogun State government has assured residents that perpetrators of the dastardly act will be apprehended and brought to book.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Olusola Subair, who disclosed this to The Guardian, said normalcy had returned to the area as security agencies have been mobilised to the scene.

The violence, which erupted on Sunday, was reportedly caused by the lingering Obaship tussle over who occupies the Oja of Agosasa seat, following the demise of the monarch since February.

The Guardian learnt that tension reached its climax on Sunday when the youths of the town took to the streets to warn against the installation of an unpopular candidate as the next Oja.

Youths started the protest when rumour spread that a politician in the town is planning to install an unpopular individual against the wish of the community.

It was gathered that about five persons were injured and taken to hospital when the face-off started, as residents scampered for safety.

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

The angry youths alleged that the said 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, have been set on fire by some angry youths.

Also, two more persons were said to have been killed, making a total of three lives lost in the melee.

A source told The Guardian yesterday that Agosasa is on fire, raising fear that the situation might escalate.

But Subair told The Guardian that the situation is under control, saying: “We learnt about it on Monday and we’ve deployed all the security agencies to the scene. The army, the police, the Amotekun and others are there and we are monitoring the situation. We’ll try and assist the security agents to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.”