Owa Obokun, who has been on the throne for 42 years, was earlier admitted at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, has passed away.
The 87-year-old Aromolaran who has been on the throne for 42 years, was earlier admitted at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
He, however, joined his ancestors on Wednesday after a brief illness.
Though the Owa Obokun palace has not issued any official statement with regard to the monarch’s passing, a source within the palace confirmed the death of the popular monarch.
The source said, “Baba has passed, but we are waiting for an official announcement from the palace.
“You can see that they have started performing some traditional rites. This has to be done before any announcement can be made,” she added.
Following the rumored death of the revered monarch, a heavy security presence was sighted at the Owa Obokun’s palace.
Confirming the security presence, a security source said: “Operatives of Nigeria Police and Department of State Service(DSS) have taken over the palace as we have also shut the gates.”