Panic in Ile-Ife community as a yet-to-be identified man reportedly broke two gates and forced his way into the compound where a house occupied by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is situated in his Ile Oodua’s palace on Tuesday, 19th May.
According to sources, several gunshots were heard around the palace and one man (name withheld) was reportedly arrested for involving with the frightening incident.
Another source who is a resident of Enuwa, the host community of the palace said a man driving a Mercedes Benz car with two passengers had driven to the entrance of the palace some minutes to 7pm.
It was learnt that the the security men at the entrance denied the vehicle entry and asked the driver to park.
But before they could check the vehicle, two of the passengers had disembarked and ran away while the driver forced his way in. He hit the first gate and drove straight towards where Ooni lives, the source narrated.
“He also succeeded in breaking the second gate and was already near Ooni’s residence. He later disembarked. The man was dressed in a long robe and had a dog with him.
The dog was later shot dead, while the man was apprehended. The man was later taken to Moore Police Station in Ile Ife,” the source said.
As at the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the spokesperson for Ooni, Moses Olafare were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile line did not connect and inquiries sent through text messages to him have been answered.
However, another source who spoke under anonymity revealed that a man, who forced his way into the palace was arrested by security men.
He added, “It was not an attack on the palace or Kabiyesi as being insinuated. The gunshots people heard must have been when security men shot at the dog the suspect came with.”
Attempts to get in touch with the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, Yemisi Opalola were futile as calls and messages were not responded to.