Village chief attacks monarch in Ondo, bites his ears

Tension has pervaded Igbokoda community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State following the attack on the monarch of the coastal community, Oba Oladimeji Odidiomo, by a chief.

The monarch was attacked prior to the flag-off of the 27.5km Igbokoda-Okitipupa dual carriageway in the domain of the traditional ruler by a chief in one of the coastal communities.

Although the identity of the chief, who also bit one of the ears of the monarch is yet to be ascertained as of press time, women in the community have protested half-naked on Tuesday.

Infuriated by what they described as a taboo on their monarch, traditionalists in the community embarked on rites across the community.

According to sources, trouble began when Oba Odidiomo, a legal practitioner who was the chief host, arrived at the occasion and urged the community leader to vacate the front row seat for traditional rulers but the man refused.

The situation later led to a shouting match and confrontation which degenerated into fisticuffs between the duo. The monarch sustained an injury during the scuffle.

It took the intervention of other monarchs and guests at the event to stop the fight. He was immediately rushed to a hospital.

Attempts to reach the monarch were unsuccessful but one of his aides who spoke on condition of anonymity narrated that the community leader who beat the monarch was banking on his relationship with a top government official.