Osun community protests arrests of chiefs, accuses police of palace invasion

The Ilobu community, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State, has criticised the State Police Command over what it described as indiscriminate arrests of three chiefs and 16 other residents, as well as the alleged invasion of the palace to apprehend a senior traditional figure.

The reaction follows an earlier incident captured in a viral video showing youths assaulting policemen deployed to a disputed land to maintain order.

The police had confirmed the arrest of suspects linked to the attack, with further operations leading to additional arrests and the recovery of firearms in Ilobu and neighbouring Erin Osun.

Among those reportedly arrested are Baale of Apeponroro, Chief Olaitan Bashiru; Baale of Oke Ayepe, Tajudeen Aralamo; and the Oluode of Ilobu, Mustau Salam.

Addressing journalists at the palace of the Olobu of Ilobu, Ashiru Olaniyan, the President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IADU), Pastor Olufemi Salako, rejected claims that the community or palace was involved in the attack on police officers.

Salako said the incident involved individuals and not the community, adding that some hoodlums exploited the situation. He maintained that the palace intervened to prevent further harm to one of the policemen.

“The perpetrators were not acting on the instructions of the community. We are peace-loving and have always cooperated with security agencies,” he said.

He further alleged that security operatives raided homes of some chiefs, including that of High Chief Asiru Alade, and insisted that those arrested were innocent.

The community pledged to cooperate with ongoing investigations while distancing itself from the attack on the police.