The quiet community of Idogun in the Ose Local Government Area has been thrown into mourning following news that its traditional ruler, Oba Moses Ekundayo Bakare, has passed away.
The Onidogun of Idogun collapsed on Wednesday and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remained in a coma for 24 hours before succumbing on Thursday evening. His sudden death marks a tragic chapter in an ongoing Ondo community crisis that has gripped the region for months, leaving residents and state officials deeply unsettled.
Tensions Escalate in Ose Local Government Area
The demise of the traditional ruler follows months of severe turmoil within the town. Friction erupted into public view in October 2025 when a group of disgruntled residents openly assaulted the monarch. A video capturing the violent altercation quickly circulated across social media platforms, sparking outrage and widespread condemnation across Ondo State.
Following the humiliating attack, the monarch left the town for safety reasons and remained in self-imposed exile until his death. In response to the civil unrest, the Ondo State Government set up an administrative panel of inquiry to investigate the root causes of the clash and recommend lasting solutions. However, the official report from the panel is yet to be made public, leaving several key issues unresolved.
State Official Confirms Idogun Monarch Passes Away
Confirming the sad development, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku—who is also an indigene of Idogun—expressed deep regret over the passing of the king. He formally extended the state government’s condolences to the royal family and the people of Idogun.
Ajanaku revealed that community chiefs officially notified him of the monarch’s demise. He urged all residents to preserve peace, avoid provocations, and strictly refrain from any act of violence during this delicate period of mourning.
Tensions Flare Over Funeral Rites for the Traditional Ruler
Despite official calls for calm, anti-monarch factions in the town created fresh disruptions on Thursday evening. Opposition groups blocked the main entry roads into Idogun with heavy logs of wood, preventing the vehicle carrying the monarch’s remains from entering the community.
Faced with severe security concerns, the convoy conveying the corpse was forced to turn back and return the late traditional ruler to a mortuary in Owo. Local authorities are currently monitoring the situation to prevent further breach of peace in the area.
