- Alaafin’s Convoy Attacked by Youths at Twin Festival
- …Security Fires Tear Gas
- Mr Bode Durojaiye, clarified that no live bullets were fired during the encounter
There was commotion in Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa area of Oyo State, on Saturday when a group of youths blocked the convoy of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, as he attempted to leave the venue of the annual World Twin Festival.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the situation quickly escalated, forcing security operatives attached to the monarch to fire warning shots and release tear gas to disperse the crowd and clear the way for his convoy.
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According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began when the youths surrounded the royal convoy and demanded money from the Alaafin before allowing him to depart.
Security personnel initially tried to calm the situation, but the crowd grew larger and more agitated, prompting a stronger response.
Videos shared on social media captured the tense scene, with gunshots ringing out and people seen running for safety. In one of the clips, a voice could be heard saying, “They have locked the gate against the Alaafin. They don’t want him to go.”
A post on X (formerly Twitter) also described the incident as a “scary moment in Igbo-Ora,” confirming that the monarch’s convoy was blocked and his security team had to fire into the air to control the situation.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Mr Bode Durojaiye, clarified that no live bullets were fired during the encounter.
“They are street urchins who wanted to collect money from the king. They were forceful. The security appealed to them, but they went wild. The security agents could not stand by and allow anyone to rough-handle the monarch. So they fired tear gas to scare them away. No live bullet was fired,” Durojaiye said.
He urged residents to maintain order during public gatherings and advised those seeking assistance from traditional rulers to do so in a peaceful and respectful manner.
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