By Mary Agidi
Fresh unrest which rocked Idogun town in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, where the traditional ruler, Oba Moses Bakare and his family were allegedly assaulted by some youths on Friday, has been linked to a court order.
Findings by Weekend Hope revealed that the crisis is connected to a lingering dispute in the community, which had earlier led to a court ruling restricting the monarch from visiting the Ishara quarters of the town.
A resident of the quarters, Mr. Dayo Oluodo, disclosed that Oba Bakare was waylaid by some residents of Ishara while attempting to enter the area, despite the restriction placed on him in February.
He traced the tension to a prolonged tussle between the monarch and a prominent son of the quarters, Captain Falade, which degenerated into violence earlier in the year.
Oluodo further explained that the court had subsequently barred Falade from entering the town until further notice, while Oba Bakare was cautioned against visiting Ishara.
According to him, residents insisted that since their own leader had been barred, the monarch should equally refrain from entering their domain, alleging that Oba Bakare’s visit on Friday, breached that understanding, sparking the confrontation.
However, Oba Bakare dismissed the claims, stressing that he had deliberately stayed away from Ishara since February in order to maintain peace, contrary to the alleged court ban.
He explained that his son, Victor, who had come home to celebrate the new yam festival, went to visit his mother in Ishara but was attacked alongside her.
The monarch added that he was compelled to go to the quarters to rescue his son, but was also assaulted and forcefully escorted back to his palace.
In his reaction, the Irekari LCDA Chairman, Mr. Dennis Adekunle, whom the monarch accused of leading the assault, described the allegation as false and malicious.
He insisted that he was not involved in the fracas, stating that he was in Idoani at the time, attending to protesting youths alongside the Ose Local Government Chairman.
Efforts to reach the Ose Local Government Chairman, Barrr. C. K. Ojo, proved abortive as calls to his mobile line were not answered.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ondo State, DSP Alayande Olusola, confirmed the crisis.
He said officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Amotekun Corps were promptly deployed to the scene to prevent further escalation.
Olusola noted that no arrest had been made as at the time of filing the report but assured that the Command would take the necessary action.