The Ogun State Police Command has said there is no truth in reports that hoodlums laid siege to the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland in Ijebu-Ode.
Naija News reports that its spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, explained in a statement on Wednesday that the police presence at the palace was a precautionary step to keep the peace.
According to the police, the deployment aimed to safeguard lives and property and prevent any disturbance at the palace, which has been at the centre of a tussle over the selection of a new monarch.
The statement said an Assistant Commissioner of Police had been assigned to coordinate the security arrangement.
The command also addressed reports concerning Chief Adebisi Adaran, known as Gbenden, a member of the Awujale kingmakers’ council.
It said the chief was invited following a petition against him, and that he honoured the invitation. He was interrogated and released on self-recognisance as investigations continue, the police added.
“The invitation was part of a legitimate investigative process and should not be misconstrued as an indication of guilt,” the command said.
The police assured residents that they would discharge their duties without bias and with respect for the rights of all.
They urged the public to disregard false reports and refrain from spreading information that could inflame tension.
The Awujale stool has been vacant since the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona in July 2025, with the selection process embroiled in legal and political disputes.
