The youths, according to eyewitnesses, killed five people, razed four buildings and kidnapped the monarch, Oba Samuel Oyegbemi.
The Police Public Relations Officer in charge of the state command, Mr. Aremu Adeniran, who confirmed the incident, however said only two lives were lost, while the palace of the monarch and two other houses were torched.
Adeniran confirmed that the monarch, who he described as a very nice man, was abducted by the irate youths..
The police spokesman explained that the Ijaw youths were probably on a revenge mission following the discovery of the body of an ex-militant in Iju-Osun on Thursday.
He explained that the people of Iju-Osun could not account for the death of the ex-militant, hence the invasion of the town by the irate Ijaw youths.
He said, “Security has been beefed up to avert further loss of lives. Our men are there. We are making efforts to release the monarch. The man is good. No report of any clash was recorded before the discovery of the corpse in the town.”
Our correspondent learnt that the invasion of the town by the ex-militant, followed the mysterious death of a middle-aged Ijaw man, identified simply as Samuel in the town.
The man, who was from Arogbo Ijaw in Ese Odo Local Government, according to sources, was a father of one of the militants and had resided at Iju-Osun town for many years.
The son, whose identity could not be ascertained at press time, was said to have contacted his colleagues and in retaliation, arrived in the town on Friday in company with armed youths.
A high chief in the town, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told reporters on Friday that the militants shot sporadically and later set several houses, including the palace of the Olughogho of Iju –Osun, ablaze.
Eyewitness said residents of neigbouring towns like Ajagba, Akotogbo and other villages in the area had also fled their areas in anticipation of possible invasion by the ex-militants. About six towns in the area have been diserted as residents were said to be taking refuge at Ode-Irele and the state capital.
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