There was Pandemonium on Monday, in Ikire in Irewole local government area of Osun state as hoodlums engaged soldiers in a gun duel, where no fewer than seven persons have lost their lives in battle.
Source gathered that the hoodlums wanted to attack the palace of Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, were initially repelled by the soldiers from gaining entry into the palace.
The hoodlums, it was gathered, started hurling stones at the soldiers and ambushed them after which they snatched their rifles.
According to the report, the hoodlums collected four guns from the soldiers and injured them in the process.
It was gathered that the injured soldiers were later rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment, adding that the hoodlums were asked to return the rifles with thirty minutes.
The failure of the hoodlums to return the stolen rifles made the soldiers to call for reinforcement and this led to serious shootings between the soldiers and the hoodlums.
An eyewitness said that the hoodlums were reportedly working for a prince of the town who wanted to use the EndSARS protests to cause trouble in the town and take over the palace from the incumbent monarch, Oba Olatunde Falabi.
He said the gun battle led to the death of many residents of the town including some family members of the prince who is purportedly causing chaos in the ancient town.
Another resident, who refused to have his name in print said some armed hoodlums sacked the palace, beat several chiefs and their drivers to stupor and ransacked the whole building.
He said: “Around 10am today, October 26, 2020, some armed hoodlums sacked the palace, beat several chiefs and their drivers to stupor and ransacked the whole building.
“It took frantic efforts of the security personnel to whisk the royal father away.”
A young man who simply identified himself as Baba Ayo said: “No fewer than seven people have been killed including a soldier.
“When those hoodlums sacked the palace, six soldiers were sent from the nearby Ede barracks to placate the tensed situation and appeal to the miscreants.
“On getting there, the hoodlums attacked the soldiers, stoned and beat them. Two of them managed to escape but luck ran out of the remaining.
“Their rifles were snatched, their uniforms were taken off and their vehicle was totally destroyed.
“One of them was later reportedly killed. I know we are in trouble as the soldiers would definitely remobilize and come back in full force.”
