Police operatives have begun a manhunt for robbers, who burgled the palace of Oba James Sodiya, the Olu of Ogunmakin town in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State and carted away the royal crown and staff office.
Three suspects have been arrested and detained in custody while undergoing interrogation over the alleged dastardly act while others were said to be at large.
It was gathered that the suspected robbers, who broke into the palace of the late monarch who passed away about two months ago, targeted and carted away his crown and staff of office.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, Omolola Odutola, at the Command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Odutola hinted that the Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the crime.
Odutola, who described the act as an abomination, stated that the Police had recovered the crown but were still searching for the Staff of the Office.
“On the 12th of October 2023, intelligence was received from the palace of his Royal Majesty late Ogunmakin that one Amusa Kazeem, Oke Oladipupo and Johnson Oluwole conspired and stole the royal crown and the staff of office two months after the demise of king of Ogunmakin.”
“The suspects were alleged to have entered into the house at about 2:00 hours where the property of the late king was kept.
The trio took the key where it was kept in the custody of the person assigned to keep the property and removed the royal crown and the staff of the office of the late king, an act described as an abomination.”
“Immediately the information was received, the Police swung into action and recovered the royal crown from the house of one Kazeem Amusan.
The staff of office has not been recovered, but intensive action is ongoing to recover it. The suspects have been arrested and are undergoing interrogation.”
She said that the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has appealed to members of the public to volunteer information that could lead to the recovery of the staff of office.
She also stated that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the alleged offence after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.