By Amaechi Agbo

The traditional ruler of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Ovewumi Ainsungbede III, JP, CON, CFR has debunked report making rounds that a number of persons were killed when hoodlums invaded his palace on Sunday, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

In a release on Monday, Oba Ainsungbede III who said the attack on his palace was unwarranted, unprovoked however noted that his palace guards in the palace did not retaliate neither was anybody killed.

The statement titled “Unprovoked Attack On Ogbomoso Palace: No Death Recorded” and signed by the Mr Toyin Ajamu, Principal Secretary to Soun of Ogbomosoland called on Nigerians to disregard the information claiming that scores were feared dead.

“The statement which was signed The attention of the Palace of Osun of Ogbomosooland, Oba Oladunni Ovewumi Ainsungbede III, JP, CON, CFR has been drawn to various false and misleading reports in the Vanguard newspaper online) and other media platforms that three protesters were feared dead during an attack on Ogbomoso Palace on Sunday, October 11. 2020.

“The attack was perpetrated by hoodlums and miscreants disguised as protesters against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) leading to the wanton destruction of properties and vehicles at the palace. A chief among other palace officials also sustained injuries.

“Contrary to fake news being disseminated on social media, we state categorically that despite the needles provocations and ill-treatment meted out to the Royal household during the violent attack on the Palace, the Paramount ruler and his household did not retaliate.

“Kabiyesi, who was with his chiefs and subjects including Minister of Youth and Spam Development (an indigene of Oghomoso), when the hoodlum invaded the palace, advised the palace staff to refrain from attacking the hoodlum,” the release said.

Reacting to video circulating in the social media in which policemen were seen dragging dead bodies into their car, the traditional ruler said that the two dead bodies were brought into the palace by the hoodlums to cause mayhem.

“None of the miscreants and thugs was attacked by the palace household but rather a chief, who was pelted with stones by the hoodlums sustained serious injuries

“The dead bodies being circulated on social media were brought into the palace by the hoodlum to cause confusion and justify the attack on the palate.

The statement further described the Paramount ruler is a nonagenarian who is a strong advocate of peace and unity which is evident in the robust development Ogbomoso land and its environs have witnessed over the forty-seven years at his reign.

The Oba used the medium to advise the general public to disregard the false news and media being circulated that some persons were feared dead in the Palace during the unwarranted attack

“The Palace hereby admonishes media practitioners to get their facts right when reporting sensitive issues such as this ugly incident.

“We also implore appropriate authorities to investigate the sad incident in a bid to bring the perpetrators of the attack to book and avert a recurrence.

“We equally call for full investigation into circumstances that led to the death of Jimoh Isiaka an Ogbomoso indigene alongside others injured during the peaceful protest on Saturday, October 10, 2020,” the statement said.

Further reports indicate that the miscreants who brought in a dead body to the palace demanded that the monarch should come out which is a taboo according to one of the palace assistants.

The Minister who was with only few security operatives ordered his security operatives not to shoot nor bring out their gun as it will only escalate things.

However, the Police Area Commander provided external security who dispersed the hoodlums who has already vandalised, looted the ancient palace and damaged several vehicles with tear gas.