Tension gripped a community in Ondo State after irate youths reportedly assaulted a traditional ruler, his wife, and their son during a local festival.
Crisis broke out in Idogun community, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, after angry youths allegedly attacked the town’s monarch, Oba Moses Bakare, along with his wife and son, identified as Victor.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the community’s annual New Yam festival.
According to Punch, the monarch sustained injuries in the attack, while his wife was reportedly beaten and stripped half-naked by the assailants.
Although the reason for the assault remains unclear, a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said there had been longstanding tensions between some locals and the monarch.
“The angry youths really assaulted the monarch and his wife and son. We don’t know what caused it but we know that some youths in the community don’t like the Oba; we don’t know why. If not the swift intervention of security operatives, the matter would have degenerated to a full-blown crisis in the town,” he said.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, who confirmed the incident to the publication said that an investigation had commenced.
“The case is under investigation and we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served,” the PPRO stated.
Amotekun Corps Coordinator in the area, Mr. Omatayo Johnson, also confirmed the disturbance, adding that security operatives moved swiftly to restore calm and prevent a further breakdown of law and order.
Narrating his ordeal at the palace, Prince Victor, who sustained injuries from the beating, claimed the youths not only descended on him, but also humiliated his mother and assaulted the monarch.
“The youths poured urine and other dirty substances on me for reasons best known to them,” Victor said.
Oba Bakare, while reacting, expressed sadness over what he described as repeated acts of hostility from a section of the youths, calling the latest incident “unfortunate.”
The monarch, however, praised the prompt intervention of the police, which, according to him, prevented the situation from snowballing into a wider crisis.
