There was palpable tension in Igburowo town, Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State, as suspected hoodlums disrupted a townhall meeting held in the town.
The meeting, attended by kingmakers, male and female traditional chiefs as well as notable indigenes of the community, was held at the community townhall located in the middle of the town.
A source closed to the community said the meeting was tagged “Ugha” in local parlance, a traditional meeting point where matters relating to the development of the town are discuss.
The source said the meeting was also held to discuss the way forward on the nomination of a new traditional ruler for the community.
It was learnt that the meeting, which started at about 9:30 am on a peaceful mode, was disrupted when some hoodlums numbering about five who are indigenes of the town started throwing chairs and chased away chiefs and other people at the meeting.
It was alleged that the suspected thugs, who later manhandled some chiefs, were sponsored by one of the prince and aspirants jostling for the stool of Akamuja, the traditional title of the community.
Though normalcy has returned to the community, there is still a tense atmosphere and fear of a repeat of the incident.
Confirming the development, a Chief in the town who is also one of the kingmakers and does not want his name mentioned, said the attacker were indigenes of the town who were agitated over the delay in nominating a new king in the town.
He said the apex socio/cultural group which overseas the development of the community, the Igburowo Development Committee (IDC), has intervened and would soon settle the matter amicably.