Breaking: Several dead as hoodlums engage soldiers in gun duel in Osun

There is pandemonium going on in Ikire, Irewole local government area of Osun state as hoodlums engage soldiers in a gun duel.

Legit.ng's regional reporter in Osun, Ibrahim Akinola, reports that no fewer than ten persons have lost their lives in battle.

It was gathered that the hoodlums who had wanted to attack the palace of Akire of Ikire, Oba Olatunde Falabi, were repelled by the soldiers from gaining entry into the palace.

The hoodlums, it was gathered, started hurling stones at the soldiers and ambushed them after which they snatched their rifles.

According to the report, the hoodlums collected four guns from the soldiers and injured them in the process.

It was gathered that the injured soldiers were later rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment, adding that the hoodlums were asked to return the rifles with thirty minutes.

The failure of the hoodlums to return the stolen rifles let the soldiers call for reinforcement and this led to serious shootings between the soldiers and the hoodlums.

An eyewitness who spoke to Legit.ng on condition of anonymity said that the hoodlums were reportedly working for a prince of the town who wanted to use the EndSARS protests to cause trouble in the town and take over the palace from the incumbent monarch, Oba Olatunde Falabi.

He said the gunbattle has led to the death of many residents of the town including some family members of the prince who is purportedly causing chaos in the ancient town.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng has previously reported that hundreds of youths on Friday, October 23, burst the Cocoa House in the Ede area of Osun state and looted various food items kept in it.

It was reported that the youths and residents thronged the area around 11:40 am and carted away packs of noodles, rice, sugar, garri, and other food items kept for COVID-19 palliative.