The Baale of Olowe Gbagura in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Akin Muheedeen, has been burnt to death by unknown assailants.
It was gathered that the community head had gone out to observe the Islamic morning prayer (Subhi) when the fire was discovered within his compound.
The incident occurred on Monday, March 7, a month after another monarch, Olu of Agodo, Oba Ayinde Odetola and three of his aides were burnt to death by unknown persons in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state following a chieftaincy dispute among members of the community.
Family sources said that the Baale was killed before he was set ablaze by the assailants who broke a window to gain access into the house.
It was further gathered that the deceased baale currently had an issue with some people over land matters.
He was recently arrested and arraigned for his alleged involvement in a tussle with some individuals claiming ownership of a land.
The village head, who was expected to appear in court on March 15, had reportedly commenced the amicable resolution of the matter before his death.
One of his wives, Silifat, who confirming the incident to newsmen, said she was returning from the mosque around 6am when she saw fire billowing from their compound.
“When I saw the fire, I shouted, I didn’t know what was happening. I rushed down, only to discover that my husband was on fire, already dead. We later found out that a window at the back of the house was broken. We didn’t know who killed him,” Silifat said.
His second wife, Iyabode, said she slept in the same room with her husband, saying her husband left the room at dawn to urinate and pray as usual.
“He used to pray every morning, so he went out around 6am to urinate and prepare for prayer. After about 15 minutes, I heard my senior wife shouting, ‘fire, fire’. I rushed out to discover that it was Baale that was on fire. He didn’t go out with fire or matches. We don’t know who did this,” Iyabode explained.
The Seriki of Olowe, Chief Kazeem Dauda, while condemning the incident, explained that there was an issue between the Baale and some individuals.