Osun Monarch Attacked, Palace Vandalized Over Imam Installation

Tension erupted in the Hallelujah community of Egbedore Local Government Area, Osun State, on Friday as youths attacked Oba Jelili Olaiya, the newly installed Ajeniju of Hallelujah, over his controversial appointment of a Chief Imam in the area.

The monarch, who was installed by the Timi of Ede a few months ago despite resistance from the Ido-Osun community, had appointed Ahmad Tijjani as Chief Imam of Hallelujah. 

While preparing for Jumat prayers at his palace, the monarch was reportedly ambushed by irate youths from Ido-Osun, who claimed he had no jurisdiction to make such appointments in a disputed community.

Eyewitnesses disclosed that the youths stormed the palace, disrupting the prayers and demanding the monarch vacate the area. “Who gave him the right to install an Imam here? This is not his domain,” one of the youths was heard shouting.

The confrontation escalated, resulting in the vandalism of the palace and a brutal attack on the monarch. “The situation became uncontrollable, and the monarch was seriously injured. It took the intervention of security operatives to rescue him,” a security source revealed.

The Ajeniju of Hallelujah was first taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for his safety and investigation into the matter. Another source later confirmed that he was admitted to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for medical treatment.

When contacted, Hon. Samuel Ojo, Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security, confirmed the incident but refrained from providing further details. “The matter is under investigation, and we cannot make comments until the facts are fully established,” he stated.