Tension erupted on Friday evening in the Hallelujah community, located in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, when a group of angry youths attacked Oba Jelili Olaiya, the recently installed Ajeniju of Hallelujah. The attack occurred as the monarch attempted to oversee Jumat prayers in the area.
The youths, openly defying protocol, accused the Ajeniju of being imposed on the community by the Timi of Ede, a decision they claimed was made against the wishes of the locals. They also condemned the monarch for overstepping his boundaries by appointing a chief imam for the community.
The situation escalated when Ahmad Tijjani, the newly appointed Chief Imam, sought to organize Jumat prayers at the monarch’s palace. This move angered the residents, who viewed it as a provocative act.
According to eyewitnesses, youths from Ido-Osun invaded the palace, disrupting the prayers and confronting the monarch. They questioned his authority to appoint an imam or preside over religious activities in an area they insisted belonged to a different traditional ruler.
In the ensuing chaos, the angry mob reportedly assaulted the monarch and vandalized his palace. Security personnel intervened to rescue Oba Olaiya and restore order in the community.
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident. “On January 3, 2025, a violent clash occurred between the people of Ido-Osun and the palace of the Ajeniju of Hallelujah. The attempt to appoint a chief imam at the palace sparked strong opposition from the Ido-Osun youths,” the source explained.
The attack left the palace damaged, and the monarch sustained serious injuries. He was later moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for his safety and to facilitate further investigation into the incident.
