Protests over the choice of Akinrun of Ikirun, the traditional ruler of a community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of the Osun State took a dangerous dimension on Wednesday as suspected arsonists set the palace on fire.

One person was feared shot dead, even as several others got injured, as people scampered for safety.

It would be recalled that the palace was hitherto, sealed off, with traditional charms, by elders who feared that the sanctity of the palace could be violated, by aggrieved youths. 

Trouble however started when a group of persons tried to force their way into the palace but were resisted by some residents of the community.

In the imbroglio that ensued, one person was reportedly shot dead and part of the palace was set ablaze.

Police operatives immediately deployed to the area to restore normalcy.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the police in Osun, SP Yemisi Opalola, said she could not speak on the incident as the police were still gathering information.

An eye witness however said that the palace had again been put under lock; an unexpected development which began after the State Government installed Oba Olalekan Akadiri as Akirun on Oct. 27.

Some people in the town, who had been calling for a reversal of Akadiri’s appointment and installation, allegedly locked up the palace to deny the installed Oba access to the palace

On Oct. 27, police in Osun confirmed that five persons were shot during a protest that greeted the announcement and installation of Akadiri as the new Akirun.

The state government in line with the order of the court ratified the candidature of Akadiri on Oct. 26 at the state’s cabinet meeting.

The announcement sparked protests in the community as the supporters of Gboleru ruling house allegedly kicked against the announcement.

Opalola said then that injuries sustained by the gunshot victims were not life-threatening.

She said the police had not made any arrests, but normalcy was restored in the community.

“Victims were shot during the protest, but peace has returned to the town.

“It started on Wednesday after the state government announced a new Oba for Ikirun, and some youths were said to have stormed the streets in protest.

“A Deputy Commissioner of Police led operatives to the town. Those shots are responding to treatment. Normalcy has returned,’’ Opalola said in October.