Gunshots as youths block Alaafin from leaving community after function
By Erewunmi Peace
There was tension in Oyo State on Sunday as some irate youths reportedly blocked the convoy of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Adeyemi, while he was leaving a community event in Igbo-Ora.
According to eyewitnesses, the monarch had attended a cultural function in the town when a group of youths obstructed his movement, allegedly demanding money before allowing his convoy to pass.
The situation escalated when security operatives attached to the monarch fired several warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and clear the road.
Videos circulating on social media show a chaotic scene, with gunshots ringing out as the Alaafin’s aides and security personnel struggled to control the situation.
Sources close to the palace confirmed the incident but insisted that no live bullets were fired, describing it as a “minor disturbance” caused by overzealous youths.
“There were no casualties. The police only fired tear gas and warning shots to restore order,” the source stated.
As of press time, neither the Oyo State Police Command nor the Alaafin’s Palace had issued an official statement on the matter.
The incident has stirred mixed reactions across Oyo State, with some residents condemning the youths’ behavior, while others criticized the use of gunfire to disperse the crowd.
