The coastal town of Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, has not known peace since the flag-off of Igbokoda-Okitipupa dualisation project on Monday 2nd June, 2025
This is following a series of protests over the alleged assault on the town’s traditional ruler, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, in a scuffle which resulted in the monarch’s ear being fatally bitten by an alleged relative of Governor Ayedatiwa, Dayo Ayedatiwa.
An eyewitness revealed that “For three consecutive days, groups comprising women, youths, and traditionalists have taken to the streets, accusing Dayo Aiyedatiwa, believed to be the elder brother of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, of physically attacking the monarch during the official flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road held on Monday.”
“The women, dressed in symbolic white garments and bearing traditional leaves, stormed the popular Igbokoda Market and other parts of the town, chanting songs of condemnation and proclaiming that the gods of the land had been offended. They later converged at the town’s central shrine in the Larada area to offer spiritual supplications.”
“This is not just an insult to our Kabiyesi, it is an abomination against our land,” one of the protesting women said. “The gods will speak.”
“Traditional worshippers, led by masquerades, also marched through major streets and proceeded to the banks of the two major rivers that surround the island community, invoking ancestral deities and performing rituals. Early Thursday morning, residents reported seeing an unidentified object believed to be a ritual item floating on the river.”
“Meanwhile, a building in the town said to be associated with the alleged attacker has been sealed using red traditional materials, signifying cultural and spiritual rejection.”
Efforts by journalists to speak directly with Oba Odidiomo were rebuffed. Palace chiefs and community youths stationed at the palace gates explained that the monarch was under traditional restriction and could not speak on the matter at the moment.
“Kabiyesi was bitten by a mad dog and he cannot speak now,” said one of the palace guards. “We know the owners of the dog and how they are sponsoring lies in the media. But the truth will prevail. We are the owners of this land. Our king is a man of wisdom, and he is respected far and wide. They will soon hear from God.”
As tension builds, several prominent traditional rulers from within and outside the local government have visited the palace in solidarity. According to sources, only visiting kings are being granted access to the palace as part of traditional protocol.
At the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Government had not issued an official statement on the incident. Security personnel have since been deployed across strategic locations in the town to maintain peace, although the protests have so far remained peaceful. Residents remain vigilant as calls grow louder for a thorough investigation into the incident and justice for the revered monarch.
