In a shocking incident, thieves targeted the palace of the late Olu of Ogunmakin town, Oba James Sodiya, in Ogun State’s Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area.
The burglars made off with the late monarch’s crown and staff of office. The tragic event, which occurred approximately two months after the passing of the Oba, was confirmed by the Ogun State police command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, during a press briefing in Abeokuta.
The police spokesperson revealed that three suspects had been apprehended in connection with the theft. Despite the recovery of the crown, the staff of office remained missing, intensifying the ongoing efforts to retrieve it.
Odutola described the act as an abomination, explaining that the suspects allegedly entered the palace around 2:00 a.m., taking advantage of the vulnerability of the late king’s property, stored under the custody of an assigned individual.
Odutola detailed the sequence of events, stating, “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.”
In response to this heinous act, the police promptly launched an investigation, leading to the recovery of the stolen crown from the residence of one Kazeem Amusan, one of the suspects. The search for the missing staff of office continued, and the arrested individuals were subjected to interrogation.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, appealed to the public for any information that could assist in locating the stolen staff of office, emphasizing the significance of recovering this symbol of royal authority.