In a bid to uphold peace and harmony in Otta Kingdom, His Majesty, Oba Professor Adeyemi Abdukabir Obalanlege (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode), displayed exemplary leadership by addressing a potentially violent clash between naval personnel and Egungun adherents. His swift and decisive actions successfully averted a crisis, reinforcing the principles of mutual respect and coexistence within the kingdom.

On Sunday, 29th December 2024, His Majesty visited the Nigerian Navy School of Music, Otta, where he met with the Commanding Officer, Commander Olaife. The discussions centred on fostering peaceful coexistence between security agencies and cultural stakeholders in Otta, following the clash that occurred on Friday, 27th December 2024. His Majesty emphasized the importance of mutual respect and collaboration as critical pillars for societal harmony.

Accompanying Kabiyesi Olota were: HRM Oba (Dr.) Ademola Eletu Ashorota, Onitele of Itele-Otta, Aworiland, High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun (Seriki of Otta), High Chief Oyedele Deinde (Oluwo of Otta), Baale Adelani Faleye (Baale Eledi Atala).

In a parallel effort, His Majesty convened a separate meeting with Egungun leaders to address the incident and advocate for peace, even in the face of provocation. These discussions affirmed the need for restraint, mutual understanding, and respect for the Egungun tradition while safeguarding the community’s harmony and safety. Resolutions were reached to protect the revered status of Egungun in Otta and its environs.

Expressing gratitude to all parties for their cooperation in averting bloodshed, His Majesty reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to preserving Otta Kingdom’s cultural heritage. He emphasized the critical balance between maintaining peace and security and celebrating the kingdom’s cherished traditions.

Kabiyesi’s proactive intervention necessitated cutting short his Christmas and New Year vacation, a reflection of his dedication to the well-being of his people. His actions have been widely commended, further cementing Otta’s reputation as a beacon of cultural harmony and cosmopolitan coexistence.

The Olota of Ota Awori Kingdom, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege, has returned from the United Kingdom to address a reported clash between Egungun worshippers and military personnel in Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, December 27, reportedly sparked tension in parts of the town for three days.

A viral video, which captured the aftermath of the fracas, showed a military personnel lamenting an attack on a military base in Ota. Sounds of gunshots were heard in the background, while broken glass and stones littered the premises.

The soldier in the video said, “See our base o, see how they destroy soldiers’ barracks for this Otta o.”

A top military source, speaking anonymously, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH on Sunday.

The source explained that the clash began when some yet-to-be-identified military personnel allegedly confronted a masquerade during a festival in the community.

“On December 27, some personnel reportedly attacked the Egungun worshippers during their festival. In retaliation, the masquerade worshippers attacked the Nigerian Navy School of Music in Ota with bottles, stones, and other dangerous weapons,” the source said.

The source added that naval personnel fired warning shots to disperse the mob attempting to storm the military base.

Another senior military official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that some community leaders had reached out to the naval authorities to resolve the matter amicably.

The official said, “The people thought some soldiers they had issues with were from our school and mobilized themselves to attack us. We exercised restraint, but the shots fired were to prevent the mob from forcing their way into the premises.”

The source disclosed that the military personnel who appeared in the viral video had been detained for breaching the rules of engagement.

Oba Obalanlege, who spoke to journalists on Sunday, said he cut short his UK holiday to address the situation.

“I was in the UK when the incident happened. I had to cut short my holiday and return this morning. I can assure you that normalcy has returned to Ota,” the monarch said.

The Olota explained that he had visited the naval base and found that the altercation was a minor misunderstanding that had been blown out of proportion.

The issue has been resolved amicably, and peace has returned to Ota and its environs,” he assured

…Narrates True Positions of the Sogbayi Family, Olókó in Council and Orilẹ Oko Land

Sequel to rumor going round that the corpse of Baale General, High Chief Elijah Agboola Akanni Sogbayi who died on Dec 19,2024 was missing, the family head represented by Dr. Timothy Oluwalogbon Ogunseye for Sogbayi Family of Orile Oko has refuted the claim stating the true side of the story.

According to one Bidemi Ogunseye who is allegedly behind the spread of the fake news, he was said to have granted a media interview claiming that the Baale corpse is missing, that the first son of the Baale, Prince Sina Sogbayi kidnapped the Corpse and took it to unknown location adding that there is trouble in the family and Orile Oko land.

Narrating the true side of the story, the family representative, Dr Timothy Oluwalogbon Ogunseye in a statement approved by the family narrated Bidemi’s position in the family, the involvement of Prince Sina, a refined, reliable and dependable retired Deputy Superetendent of Police and the present location of the corpse agreed by the family.

The statement revealed that Prince Sina, is the one mandated by the family to retrieve the corpse from where he died and deposited it in the morgue pending the time the family will meet to decide how the Baale would be given befitting burial according to his religious rites.  It also stated that contrary to what is going on in some media quarters,there is peace in both the family and Orile Oko land

The family through the statement employed the general public to ignore the rumour and discard whatever is coming out from the stable of Bidemi and his cohorts.

Below is the statement from the Family:

*REFUTAL OF THE ALLEGED THEFT OF THE CORPSE OF THE LATE BAALE GENERAL OF ORILE OKO.*

The attention of our family has been drawn to a purported interview granted by Bidemi Sogbayi and spread to some media house who were been misinformed about the true statement of event. Many would be tempted to believe the story to be true, given the erroneous claim of the interviewee that he is uncle to Prince Sina Sogbayi. The fact is that he is not. Rather the late Baale General, High Chief Elijah Agboola Akanni Sogbayi was his uncle and my uncle. He was the younger and only sibling of our mother. I am no 2 in my mother’s linage while Bidemi is No 5. I trained Bidemi up to University level. Prince Sina is our first cousin, a refined, reliable and dependable retired Deputy Superetendent of Police. He is six good years older than Bidemi. Ogunseye

As a sign of maturity, being a much elderly man than Bidemi, I will refrain from washing dirty linens of the family in the public. The correct response of the  Shogbayi Family to the spurious allegations by Bidemi and Oloko in Council in the media space are as follows.

1. Late High Chief Elijah Agboola Akanni Sogbayi, died in Abeokuta. No chief of Orile Oko was  there when he breathed his last.

2.The late Chief Sogbayi was appointed by government as Baale General of Orile Oko and not an Oba as mischievously claimed in the media.

3. In the Highlander car that carried him was Bidemi and Dare Sogbayi(Prince Sina Sogbayi younger brother)

4 Dare put a call across to Sina, who was not in Abeokuta at that material time to inform the latter of their father’s death. They were by NNPC at that time.

5. Sina requested that Bidemi called our eldest brother, who by tradition was the Chief Mourner (Babansiku). Bidemi declined , stating that he didn’t know his eldest brother’s call line. 

6. I was not physically present in Abeokuta but was connected in Conference with Prince Sina during  his calls.

7.. Sina then called the Babansiku, who directed that the body be brought to Asero to plan for his  embalment in a morgue. Bidemi declined, insisting that The Lisa of Orile Oko, Chief, Joseph Olalekan Olukunle had ordered that the corpse be brought tp Orile Imo, Lisa’s home stead.

8. Orile Imo is not an Orile Oko town but Egba town in Obafemi Owode Local Government. The mission to Orile Imo is still shrouded in mystery

9. At Orile Imo, Baba’s remains was evacuated from the highlander jeep that brought him and put inside the less dignified and tattered Oloko Council space wagon car.

10.. Two Chiefs, Apena Ishola  and Momodu followed the car en route Orile Oko.

11. Sina called Dare to enquire whether they had headed to Asero as directed by Chief Mourner

12. Dare confirmed that they were about to leave Orile Imo.

13. At this point Sina linked up with the Shogbayi family elders and he was mandated to go to Orile Oko to bring the body to the morgue

14. Sina intercepted the car bringing the corpse at Orile Oko junction, recovered the body and headed for Abeokuta.

15. At Abeokuta, the elders met Sina at his father’s house in Asero and together they drove to the morgue where the body is securely kept

16. Family meeting has been fixed to deliberate on burial. All members of the family, have been invited.

Consequently, the family is at a loss how Prince Sina was alleged to have stolen the body. It is all tissues of lie.

By virtue of the Ogun  State Burial of Obas Law 2022, one wonders what the locus the Oloko in  Council is in Baba’s body. Our duty is to inform the Council and the consenting authority, His Royal Majesty, the Akarigbo of Remoland and relevant government functionaries of Baba’s demise after the family meeting. Why the rush and anxiety in the public space?

We are not unaware of stories of pressures our late Baba was subjected to in his last days on earth and the involvement of some Oloko in Council. They continue to politicise Baba’s death and polarise the family. Their mission will fail.

 The various dirty land deals will soon come to public space. When the time is ripe, the family will address the various issues. 

Let me end by urging everyone that Yoruba culture respects family values. Bidemi is too junior in all respect in the family to make any announcement or pronouncement without clearance. As a civil servant, one expects him to caution himself on what to say in the press. He can not cry more than the bereaved.

Lastly, Baba’s body is not lost. Baba’s body is in safe preservatory custody of government approved mortuary facility.

Dr. Timothy Oluwalogbon Ogunseye

For Shogbayi Family of Orile Oko.