The palace of Oba James Sodiya, the Olu of Ogunmakin town in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, is said to have been raided by suspected thieves who stole his staff of office and crown.
It was learnt that on Thursday, the thieves broke into the late monarch’s palace. The monarch passed away roughly two months ago.
Omolola Odutola, the state’s police spokesperson, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday in Abeokuta.
Odutola did, nevertheless, hint that the police had detained three people in connection to the crime.
The police have found the crown, according to Odutola, who called the act an obscenity. However, they are still looking for the staff of office.
“On the 12th of October 2023, an intelligence was received from the palace of his Royal Majesty late Ogunmakin that one Amusa Kazeem, Oke Oladipupo and Johnson Oluwole conspired and stole the royal crown and the staff of office two months after the demise of king of Ogunmakin.
“The suspects were alleged to have entered into the house at about 2:00 hours where the property of the late king was kept.
“The trio took the key where it was kept in the custody of the person assigned to keep the property and removed the royal crown and the staff of office of the late king, an act described as an abomination.
“Immediately the information was received, the police swung into action and recovered the royal crown from the house of one Kazeem Amusan.
“The staff of office has not been recovered, but intensive action is on going to recover same. The suspects have been arrested and are under going interrogation”, the police spokesperson said.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, appealed to members of the public to volunteer information that could lead to the recovery of the staff of office.
Ada Peter
