Ondo youths protest, set ablaze filling station over alleged premature deaths

The agrarian community of Ikun-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State was yesterday thrown into chaos following violent protest by youths in the town.

The youths were said to have been angered over the alleged nonchalant attitude of the monarch of the town following the incessant premature deaths of promising sons and daughters of the community.

After storming the palace with palm leaves, the protesters moved to the only petrol station in the town owned by the Oba after which it was touched.

They asserted that Oba Olokunbola Adedoyin, Onikun of Ikun, is currently portraying himself as a “born-again Christian” and has refused to carry out rituals and other customary ceremonies that can prevent disasters.

The monarch, Oba Olokunbola Adedoyin, who ascended the throne 19 years ago, claimed he had been making every effort to encourage growth in the community ever since he was appointed the traditional ruler.

The monarch claimed that the angry teenagers threatened to kill him and his son during the course of his experience at their hands.

He continued by saying that during the assault on his gas station, a worker was beaten and three generators worth N1.5 million were vandalized.

He identified himself as a prayer warrior who had been praying for Ikun-Akoko with others.

The Divisional Police Officer for Oba-Akoko acknowledged that some people had been detained at Ikun and would be appearing in court.