Favour Oyinade
An Osun state prince, Lukman Olatunji, has been shot dead during a heated scuffle between the police and hoodlums in Ikirun.
According to reports and witnesses, the stray bullet had hit the Ikirun prince on his head and he had died instantly.
It was reported that the palace of the Akunrin of Ikirun, which has been locked since the monarch, Oba Olalekan Akadiri became king, was set for renovation.
The police in a statement said they were only there to secure the ones renovating the palace. Although, eye witnesses said they were trying to force some hoodlums off the gates of the palace.
During the scuffle, shots were fired and there was also the use of teargas.
A witness, Gboyega Adebayo, claimed that at least four other persons were shot but they are alive.
The brother of the deceased, Tajudeen Gboleru, in an interview with PUNCH said, someone led the policemen to the palace leading to the death of his younger brother.
He said, “A person trying to enter the palace came to the area with a lot of policemen and soldiers. One of the security men must have fired the shot that hit him.”
However, denying the reports, the state spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola said policemen were assigned to the palace to secure the people renovating the palace but two policemen were shot by armed hoodlums.
A backup policemen were sent to resolve the issue but the palace was already set ablaze by the hoodlums.
According to Opalola, two fire brigade officials were also attacked by these hoodlums.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police wishes to debunk the news making the rounds that policemen shot at people in Ikirun.
“The true picture of the event is that, while some policemen were at Akinrun palace to protect those renovating it, some armed hoodlums shot at the policemen mobilised to the palace, injuring one Inspector, Obajobi Adedokun and Inspector Raji Abiodun.
“They were rushed to hospital for treatment. They (hoodlums) set the palace ablaze and also attacked the fire brigade personnel and injured one Orunwumi Roseline and Abel Olayinka and attacked their truck while on their way to the palace to put out the fire.”
