THE crisis between the Jegun of Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Oba Suulade Adedugbe, and his subjects escalated on Wednesday.
At least, three youths were feared dead and others injured when the angry youths stormed the palace.
The youths, on Tuesday, accused the first class monarch of working against the development of the town.
On Wednesday, they gathered at a popular roundabout in the town and proceeded to the palace to chase the monarch out. Unknown to them, Oba Adedugbe had secretly left town since Monday evening.
He was accused of turning down an offer by the Federal Government to site a Federal Polytechnic in the town because the monarch believed government might not be able to pay appropriate compensation to the owners of the economic trees.
An eye witness said the youths were peaceful in their protest. Then, some policemen fired tear gas and the youths retaliated by throwing stones.
The action was said to have infuriated the policemen who started firing into the air.
“Some youths were hit in the process and some of the youths went inside their houses to respond to the police attack. At least, three of the youths were feared dead while some of them, who were wounded, were taken to an hospital in Ondo town for treatment”
An unconfirmed report said a policemen was shot in a reprisal attack.
Some of the protesting youths were later arrested.
Because of the crisis, commercial activities were paralysed for hours.
