•Cover picture is for illustration and has no connection to the report.
Tension gripped Ijebu-Ode, the headquarters of Ijebu – Ode Local Government Council, on Wednesday as heavily armed security operatives drawn from the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) again took strategic positions along Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Archway Ijebu – Ode and around the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland as the succession crisis over the vacant stool of the Awujale deepens.
The fresh deployment comes months after security operatives first cordoned off the palace following the death of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, preventing the Ijebu-Ode kingmakers from sitting to select a candidate out of the names of 94 princes and one princess submitted to them.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House leaders – Otunba Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi (Olori Ebi), Prince Adedokun Ajidagba (Deputy Olori – Ebi), Professor Fassy Yusuf (Vice Chairman) and others had on Monday, January 19, 2026, submitted the list bearing names of the 95 nominees (candidates) to the kingmakers who were expected to meet at the Palace at the time to begin the process of selecting one candidate out of the nominees but security operatives manning the palace entrance denied them access.
The Fusengbuwa Ruling House is next in line to produce the next Awujale according to the tradition and customs of the Ijebu people but the process still remains suspended by the state government.
However, the renewed heavy presence of armed policemen around the palace has again heightened tension in the ancient town, with residents and stakeholders expressing concern over the stalled selection process and the continued police occupation of the royal seat.
The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode was under siege by suspected thugs and miscreants, describing the reports as misleading.
The command said it deployed police personnel to the palace as a preventive security measure to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and prevent any breakdown of public peace.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oluseyi Babaseyi, said police officers were deployed to the palace to ensure security and maintain public order.
“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that the deployment of its personnel to the palace was strictly a preventive security measure aimed at maintaining law and order, safeguarding lives and property, and forestalling any breakdown of public peace,” the statement said.
The police spokesperson added that an Assistant Commissioner of Police was deployed to supervise the security arrangement and ensure effective operational coordination.
“To ensure effective supervision and operational coordination, an Assistant Commissioner of Police was deployed to oversee the security arrangement at the palace,” the statement added.
The command also clarified the circumstances surrounding the invitation of Chief Adebisi Adaran, popularly known as Gbenden, following reports about his encounter with the police.
According to the statement, Adaran was invited after the Command received a written petition containing allegations against him.
“He honoured the invitation, was questioned in connection with the allegations and was subsequently released on self-recognisance, while investigations continue,” the police said.
The command stressed that the invitation should not be interpreted as an indication of guilt, noting that it was part of a legitimate investigative process.
“The invitation was part of a legitimate investigative process and should not be misconstrued as an indication of guilt,” the statement emphasised.
The police further assured residents that the Command remained professional and impartial in carrying out its statutory responsibilities, with respect for the rule of law and the rights of all individuals.
It urged members of the public to remain calm, disregard misleading reports and avoid circulating unverified information capable of creating unnecessary tension or disturbing public peace.
“The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property, the preservation of public order and the impartial enforcement of the law throughout Ogun State,” the statement added.
