Nov. 22, 2013
BY GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO — Police detectives from Osun State Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 80-year-old Alase of Ilase-Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun state, Oba Adesina Anibijuwon allegedly burnt to death inside his palace, Wednesday evening.
The monarch, who according to sources, lost his sight eight years ago was allegedly attacked by some hoodlums at about 8.00pm inside his palace and eventually died when the palace was gutted by fire caused by the suspected arsonist.
Speaking on the incident, a traditional chief in the town, Chief Oluwagbemiga Oke, explained that the house in which the monarch was living, donated to the town by a prominent native, got razed shortly after some unknown people paid the king a visit.
According to him, the monarch had attended to five guests who came in a pink Mazda car before the incident happened, adding: “From what we were told, the house got burnt shortly after the people left.”
Also, an officer of the state fire service, Mr. Michael Ogundipe, ruled out the possibility of electrical fault , saying that findings by his men revealed that the case was arson.
Ogundipe who took officials of the state government, including the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr Amos Adekunle, round the palace said there was nothing that suggested electric surge from the findings made at the scene of the incident.
Children, maid unhurt
It was gathered that two of the monarch’s children and his house maid escaped unhurt while the fire raged, but the monarch could not help the situation due to old age and blindness.
Although the cause of the fire disaster could not be ascertained, it was speculated in the town that the men who visited the monarch last could be responsible for the dastardly act.
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