Olubadan palace shooting: Ajimobi summons security chiefs, monarchs

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday summoned an emergency meeting of the State Security Council at his office.

The meeting is coming on the heels of the shooting at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.

The governor also summoned a separate meeting of traditional councils of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan, headed by members of the Obas-in-Council, formerly called Olubadan-in-Council.

They are expected to meet with the governor at his office today.

The governor’s decision was conveyed yesterday through a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Olalekan Alli.

Expected at the meeting are: the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division in Ibadan, commissioner of Police, director of the Department of State Services (DSS),  state commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and heads of other security agencies.

The statement added: “Government notes the unacceptable development and warns that the pre-2011 era of brigandage and violence perpetrated by undesirable elements shall not be tolerated.

“Government assures all and sundry that such perpetrators, who may be exploiting the opportunity of the developments on the Ibadan chieftaincy issue to repeat the mayhem experienced prior to the tenure of this administration, and who seem to be warming up for their traits, shall be fished out and made to face the law.

“Government assures the public of its commitment to the security of life and property in the state and shall take imperative, desirable and decisive steps to checkmate the untoward development.”

The statement urged residents to go about their lawful engagements without any fear.

Oyo State Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude has said the command would fish out those behind the attack on the palace of the Olubadan.

The police chief said the command was close to arresting the hoodlums, based on information available to the command.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the commissioner warned trouble makers to stay away from the state or face the wrath of the law.

He said: “While investigation into the incident is being carried out, we want to use this medium to sternly warn hoodlums and other unscrupulous elements that the police will not fold their arms and allow criminal activities soar in any part of the state.

“Similarly, we will deal decisively with individuals or groups, whose activities are inimical to peace and harmony currently being enjoyed in the state.”

Also, a PDP governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has expressed shock at Monday’s attack at the Olubadan palace by gunmen.

He described the incident as an aberration.

In a statement in Ibadan, the state capital, Makinde said he was shocked and embarrassed that Ibadan was under attack.

The politician said in his over 40 years as an indigene and resident of Ibadan, he never heard of an attack at the Olubadan’s palace.

He noted that in Yoruba land, palaces are sacred places and it is anathema to attack them.

Makinde recalled that even during the Yoruba civil war in the 19th century, Ibadan was known as a power centre and defender of the race’s territorial integrity.

The aspirant queried why and how the city degenerated into a messy enclave.

He berated the government for allowing security lapses, adding that it should bring the perpetrators to justice.