Six persons died yesterday in a clash between loyalists of the Olu of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, and the family of the late Titi Olalebi.
The late Olalebi was murdered two years ago by suspected loyalists of the monarch.
The monarch and 10 others are standing trial for the murder.
Counsel to the Olalebi family Koboju Atima said trouble started when some thugs suspected to be loyalists of the Olu of Igbokoda invaded the house of a man, Tale Iwatan, at Temitan community.
Iwatan is a cousin of the late Olalebi.
Atima alleged that the violence was masterminded by the monarch.
He said the hoodlums arrived the Iwatan family house with guns and other weapons.
They reportedly set two houses ablaze.
Atima further alleged that two vehicles belonging to the Iwatans were burnt by the hoodlums.
The crux of the matter, according to the counsel, was Iwatan’s resistance to Oba Odidiomo’s alleged desperation to forcefully take over his family land.
The counsel said the attack was the second in the last six months.
But Oba Odidiomo denied sponsoring the attack.
He said the crisis erupted as a result of the abduction of his messenger.
His words: ”I am a man of peace how can I mastermind violence in my domain?
“What happened was that I sent one of my boys on an errand and when we couldn’t find him. We reported the case to t he police. His body was later discovered in the town.
“The search party went with the police to recover the body but in the process some thugs opened fire on them, killing six people on the spot.”
The monarch added that several people were injured in the process.
Police spokesman Wole Ogodo, did not deny or confirm the story.
He promised to reveal the details of the incident as soon as investigations are completed.
A team of riot policemen from the Ondo Area Command have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.
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