Tension has engulfed Igbokoda community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State following a physical assault on the traditional ruler, Oba Oladimeji Odidiomo, who had his ear bitten by a community chief during an official event.
The incident occurred just before the flag-off ceremony of the 27.5km Igbokoda-Okitipupa dual carriageway project in the monarch's domain. While the identity of the attacker remains undisclosed, the assault has sparked outrage throughout the coastal community.
Community Response to the Attack
In response to what they described as a taboo against their traditional ruler, women from the community staged a half-naked protest on Tuesday. Simultaneously, traditionalists performed ritual rites across Igbokoda to address the sacrilege.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the confrontation began when Oba Odidiomo, who is also a legal practitioner and was serving as chief host of the event, requested that the community leader vacate the front row seats reserved for traditional rulers. The community chief reportedly refused to comply with this protocol.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a verbal altercation before degenerating into physical violence, during which the monarch sustained injuries including a bitten ear. It took the intervention of other traditional rulers and guests at the ceremony to separate the fighting parties.
Political Connections Alleged
An aide to the monarch, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the community leader who attacked Oba Odidiomo was emboldened by his connections to a high-ranking government official. Following the assault, the traditional ruler was immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
Attempts by BenriNews to reach the monarch for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of this report. The incident has raised concerns about respect for traditional institutions and the maintenance of order during official functions in the state.
Local authorities have yet to make an official statement regarding the incident or any potential legal consequences for the assault on the traditional ruler.
