Tension erupted in the Hallelujah community, Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, on Friday as residents attacked the newly installed Ajeniju of Hallelujah, Oba Jelili Olaiya, during a Jumat service.
The monarch, installed by the Timi of Ede a few months ago, was beaten severely by enraged youths who opposed his decision to appoint a Chief Imam in the community.
Last week, Oba Olaiya installed Ahmad Tijjani as the Chief Imam of Hallelujah and attempted to lead Jumat prayers at his palace. However, youths from the neighbouring Ido-Osun community reportedly stormed the palace, disrupting the prayer session.
The aggrieved youths accused the monarch of overstepping his authority by appointing a Chief Imam in a domain they claimed belonged to another traditional ruler.
The altercation escalated as the mob attacked the monarch, leaving him severely injured. The palace was also vandalized before security operatives intervened to restore order.
A security source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that officers had to rescue the monarch and later transferred him to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for safety and further investigation.
Another source revealed that the monarch was subsequently taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo for medical treatment.
Reacting to the incident, Hon. Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, stated that he would withhold further comments until the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
