By John Dike, Osogbo
Suspected political thugs reportedly attacked the residence of the Aree of Iree, in Osun State, Oba Muritala Oyelakin, just hours before Saturday’s governorship election.
The monarch said the attack occurred at about 2:00 a.m. when two Sienna vehicles allegedly drove to his palace along the Ikirun-Osogbo Road. According to him, the occupants fired several gunshots into the air before shooting at the palace gate.
Oba Oyelakin said the attackers appeared to have abandoned any further attempt to enter the premises after noticing that the palace was brightly lit, as he was holding a prayer session with a number of people still present.
Narrating the incident, the traditional ruler explained that he deliberately switched the palace lights off and on repeatedly to create the impression that many people were inside, a move he believed discouraged the assailants from advancing.
“The attack happened around 2:00 a.m. The lights were on because I was holding a prayer session and some people were still around. I saw two Sienna vehicles. The attackers first shot into the air before firing at my gate. I kept switching the lights off and on to make them think many people were inside, and they eventually left,” the monarch said.
A visible gunshot mark was later found on the palace gate, confirming that the residence had come under attack.
Expressing concern over the incident, particularly on the eve of the governorship election, Oba Oyelakin appealed to security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those behind the attack are identified and prosecuted.
“I call on all security agencies to investigate this incident thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice,” he said.
The attack has furthe heightened security concerns across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s poll, amid growing allegations by political parties and other stakeholders of intimidation, violence and politically motivated attacks in some communities.
Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
