A Yoruba traditional monarch residing in the United States, His Royal Highness Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale—popularly known as the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina—has died following a violent incident reportedly orchestrated by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade.
The assault allegedly took place inside the Alaafin’s palace on April 17, 2025, during a visit described by supporters as a set-up tied to a supremacy clash between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
In a heartbreaking posthumous audio obtained by reporters, Chief Arounfale detailed how he was lured under false pretenses and beaten in the presence of the Alaafin after introducing himself as a monarch crowned by the Ooni of Ife—a move that allegedly enraged the Alaafin.
“When I mentioned the Ooni, everything changed,” Arounfale recounted. “His guards began slapping and punching me right in front of him… They beat my wife too.”
His wife and driver, who were with him during the incident, also suffered injuries. The driver was reportedly assaulted for unknowingly recording the conversation. After the ordeal, police were called, and the group was briefly detained before being released later that evening.
The palace confrontation reportedly stemmed from the Alaafin’s rejection of Arounfale’s title, seeing it as an affront to Oyo royalty. Tensions escalated further when Arounfale confirmed that the Ooni of Ife had crowned him, citing historical precedence for Oyotunji’s monarchs.
Supporters of the late Chief, including advocacy group Justice for Baba Oba, have blamed a palace associate named Almaruf for orchestrating the trap. A broadcaster from Omoboriwo Media condemned the incident, accusing the Alaafin of bloodshed only weeks into his reign.
The Alaafin’s palace has denied the allegations. Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity, described the claims as “fabricated and wicked,” maintaining that the visit was peaceful and that no altercation took place.
“The Alaafin is not in any royal supremacy battle with anyone,” Durojaiye said, insisting the narrative was concocted to malign the revered traditional ruler.
As controversy swells around the death of Chief Arounfale, the rift between Yoruba monarchs appears to have taken a dark and dangerous turn—one now marred by blood, grief, and conflicting royal claims.
