In a letter dated January 2026 and addressed to the Governor’s Office, the youths commended the state government’s intervention following a New Year’s Eve attack on the Ipele Police Station on December 31, 2025.
Concerned youths of Ipele in Owo Local Government Area have petitioned the Ondo State Governor, highlighting alleged misconduct by the Olupele of Ipele, Oba Samuel Oluwashola Adesanmi Daramola, and calling for immediate caution to safeguard peace and security in the town.
In a letter dated January 2026 and addressed to the Governor’s Office, the youths commended the state government’s intervention following a New Year’s Eve attack on the Ipele Police Station on December 31, 2025.
However, they expressed concern over the Olupele’s behaviour, alleging that his frequent absences and conduct are undermining traditional administration and local security.
The petitioners claimed that the Olupele, who has been on the throne for just over a year, “has not for once stayed in Ipele for one month at a stretch since his coronation” and frequently travels to Lagos and the United Kingdom, where he was based prior to ascending the throne.
According to the youths, these absences have “adverse effect on the traditional administration of the community and with negative effect on the security of the locality,” as there is “no good synergy between the security agencies and the community in gathering intelligence report with respect to security of Ipele town and the adjourning villages.”
The letter also described tensions between the monarch and local youths, noting that the Olupele “is not at peace with the majority of youths in town” and that he “derives pleasure in picking quarrels with any of his perceived enemies.”
The petitioners claimed that the monarch is at odds with many indigenes, including elites in the diaspora, and that these conflicts have “adversely affected socio–economic development of Ipele in great measure.”
Allegations of financial impropriety were also raised. The youths stated that Oba Daramola has removed or suspended chiefs without justification and “the love of kabiyesi (king) for money is alarming.”
They cited an incident involving a donation of N1 million for the restoration of electricity in Ipele, which the monarch allegedly claimed to have spent on an unverifiable project.
The petition further detailed the Olupele’s alleged involvement in market disputes over revenue collection, noting that he was “recently attacked at Joks market by some unknown persons when he personally went into the market to struggle over revenue.”
The youths claimed that the monarch’s agents had taken over revenue collection from tipper drivers, a role normally handled by local government officials, which “almost resulted into a violent melee.”
More seriously, the petitioners raised allegations of personal misconduct, claiming that a young woman had accused the Olupele of impregnating her and threatening her to abort the pregnancy, reportedly because his wife in the UK would react violently. The letter stated that “cogent evidence is available on this information.”
Security concerns were also highlighted. The youths accused the Olupele of “parading men with gun and other weapons” and of “firing gun shots at his palace whenever he’s around in Ipele,” creating fear among residents. They claimed that the monarch’s gunmen “threatened” youths last year, a matter still under investigation at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 17, Akure.
The letter referenced a New Year’s Eve palace party on December 31, 2025, during which “gun men wearing hoods were shooting sporadically at the pleasure of the kabiyesi,” suggesting a possible link to the police station attack that occurred approximately two hours later.
The petitioners described these acts as “unbecoming of a first-class Oba in Ondo State.”
The youths concluded by urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to conduct a discreet and full-scale investigation into the allegations and to caution the Olupele to prevent further disturbances.
The petition was signed by Ibrahim Japheth and Olorunfunmi Oladotun on behalf of the Concerned Youths of Ipele. Copies were also sent to the Ondo State Ministry of Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, the state police command, Department of State Services (DSS) Ondo State, and other relevant authorities.
On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, gunmen stormed Ipele, attacking and burning the Divisional Police Station.
The assault, carried out by about 20–30 armed men using rifles and explosives, caused widespread panic, forced residents to flee, and left the police facility badly damaged, though no casualties were reported.
Witnesses described the attackers as overwhelming local security operatives, operating for hours before retreating. The incident disrupted New Year’s Eve church services and community gatherings, spreading fear across the town.