Attack on Akiolu’s palace, unacceptable, abominable — Lagos chiefs

SEQUEL to yesterday’s attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, and stealing of his traditional staff, Lagos titled chiefs have condemned the violence as unacceptable and abominable.

In a statement titled, ‘Lagos titled chiefs frown at the desecration of the Lagos traditional institution’, the chiefs described the carting away of Akiolu’s instrument of office as a “taboo” and a desecration of the traditional institution of Lagos.

Said the chiefs, “The action is unacceptable as the highly revered and age-long traditional institution of Lagos will not be compromised and must be preserved. The tradition and culture of the people of Lagos have been with its people for centuries and therefore a taboo for instruments of office (traditional staff) or any of its replica to be carted away from the palace. No less important are other traditional artifacts taken away by these miscreants.”

Signed by Chief Olawumi Gasper, Aare Onimo of Lagos, and the General Secretary of the Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs, a non-political association of honorary chiefs and prominent members of the Lagos Community, the statement warned that the development poses grave dangers to the culture and traditions of the good people of Lagos.

Vandalising vehicles and carting away several artefacts, thugs on Wednesday, October 21, stormed the palace of the Oba of Lagos located at Iga Iduganran, Lagos Island.

Stated the chiefs, “The King is the custodian of the history, traditions, and culture whose words and actions are sacred and therefore the invasion and looting of the palace by miscreants and hoodlums, carting away of the staff of office and other items of value, desecration of the age-long customs of the people of Lagos was highly condemned by the association. It is an aberration which must not be allowed to repeat itself. The Titled Chiefs condemned the effrontery of the invaders and pledged its unwavering commitment to the sanctity of the Lagos monarchy, its traditions and culture.”

Pledging support and allegiance to the Oba of Lagos, the chiefs called on law enforcement agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this act and apply appropriate sanctions on those behind the attack.