Thugs that invaded the palace of the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu have been given a 24-hour ultimatum to return the staff of office looted from the palace.
Videos that circulated on social media on Wednesday showed the jubilant mob carting away properties and damaging the palace.
A particular frame in the videos showed the thugs proudly displaying the looted staff of office as they made away with it.
However, the Akinshemoyin ruling house of Lagos Island has given the thugs a 24-hour ultimatum to return the staff or face severe consequences.
This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by Prince Salami-Abisako and Prince Adeyemi Sarumi.
The ruling house said though it supported the peaceful EndSARS protests, it frowned on the activities of the thugs taking advantage of the protests to wreak havoc.
“The royal house, however called for the return of the stolen staff of authority to be deposited at the Apena of Lagos within 24 hours or the deviants will face the consequences of their action. A word is enough for the wise,” the statement read in part.
The statement further read, “Though we are in total support of the peaceful protest of the Nigerian youths tagged: #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality, we, Lagosians condemn with all sense of responsibility the gruesome murder of Nigerians, the hijack of the peaceful protest by hoodlums, destruction of public infrastructural facilities and property across the nation.
“We also condemn the looting of our traditional and ancestral heritage as it relates to the Oba of Lagos Palace; especially the carting away of the staff of office. We will not allow miscreants to destroy our Lagos ‘Onilu Onije Otu’.
“The acts of these elements are sacrilegious, taboo and abomination to the Yoruba race. These nefarious misfits’ conducts could lead to mayhem in the land if not timely checked and tranquility restored.
“We hereby call on the paramount Apena of Oshugbo, Opa, Akala and other traditional heads and custodians to immediately secure the Oba’s palace from further attack(s) in order to save the face of our traditional stool.”
