The family of late Pa. Jubril Jinadu (Igbao) of Ilale, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, has denied reports that hoodlums attacked the palace of the Alale of Akungba, describing the publication as false, zqmisleading and capable of creating tension in the community.
The family, alongside concerned custodians of Akungba’s cultural heritage, was reacting to a report titled “Hoodlums Attack Alale of Akungba Palace, Three Injured,” published on Nairaland by a user identified as Carnival10 on October 9, 2026.
In a statement issued on behalf of the family and the cultural custodians, they maintained that no attack was carried out on the palace, insisting that the incident occurred during the final burial rites of their patriarch on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
According to the statement, the burial ceremony featured the traditional Gbugbugbu or Ọgagago dance, an ancient cultural practice in Akungba-Akoko through which participants use songs, chants and satire to express communal grievances and address perceived wrongdoing.
The family explained that the cultural troupe was performing along a route near the palace when some individuals at the palace entrance allegedly took offence at the songs, began recording the performers with their mobile phones and exchanged provocative words with them.
It said the ensuing confrontation was a verbal disagreement along the road and not an attack on the palace, as reported.
The statement questioned the basis for the allegation that hoodlums had stormed the palace with guns, sticks and stones, demanding evidence of the alleged weapons, damage to the palace and the identities of the three persons reportedly injured.
The family also challenged the author of the report to establish whether he had visited Akungba-Akoko, spoken with members of the Jinadu family or consulted the leaders of the Gbugbugbu or Ọgagago group and palace chiefs before publishing the story.
Describing the publication as irresponsible, the statement warned against the circulation of unverified reports capable of inflaming tensions in the university town.
“At no time did any hoodlum attack the Alale Palace. The Alale of Akungba Royal Palace remains sacred, safe and highly respected by all true sons and daughters of Ilale and Akungba at large,” the statement said.
It further maintained that the burial ceremony was peaceful and conducted in accordance with the community’s cultural traditions, adding that portraying the Gbugbugbu or Ọgagago dance as a violent activity amounted to an attack on Akungba’s cultural heritage.
The family expressed its respect for the traditional institution, insisting that it would not attack the palace under any circumstances. It accused the publishers of the report of attempting to create hostility between the bereaved family and the traditional ruler.
Consequently, the family called on Nairaland’s moderators to remove the publication and urged the author to visit Akungba to verify the facts surrounding the incident.
It also appealed to the Nigeria Police to investigate the source of what it described as a false alarm capable of causing a breach of public peace.
Emphasising the town’s reputation as the host community of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, the family urged residents and media platforms to avoid sensational and unverified accounts that could undermine communal harmony.
“Akungba is our pride, our culture is our identity,” the statement added.
The statement was signed on behalf of the family of late Pa. Jubril Jinadu (Igbao), Ilale Quarters, Akungba-Akoko, and concerned custodians of Akungba’s cultural heritage.
