Osun communal crisis: Slain NSCDC officer laid to rest

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The slain officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Osun State Command, Shittu Wasiu Kehinde was murdered by hoodlums while on duty during a communal clash between Orile Owu and Araromi Owu communities has been laid to rest.

The incident which took the life of the officer occurred the in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state, where he was shot dead on Tuesday.

Kehinde was laid to rest on Wednesday according to Muslim rite after a short prayer held in his honour which was witnessed by family members, colleagues and sympathisers.

It was gathered Kehinde died on the spot while another female officer of the agency who was also at the scene of the clash sustained multiple injuries.

While providing information about the cause of the crises, a resident of Araromi Owu, who asked not to be mentioned for security reasons, revealed the bloody clash was caused by a chieftaincy tussle in Araromi Owu is a settlement in Ago Owu in Ayedaade South LCDA.

According to another anonymous resident of the community, “The bone of contention is that an indigene of Orile Owu is being made a Baale of Araromi Owu but some settlers majorly from Ibadan, are opposing the choice of the appointed Baale claiming that they are also entitled to the throne.

“The appointed Baale was at Ilofi (seclusion) where traditional rites were performed on him. But the settlers are insisting that he would not be allowed to reign.”