There was palpable fear in Esa Oke, Osun State on Wednesday, following concerns over the state of health of the Owamiran of Esaoke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran.

Oba Adediran, sources close to the palace, said it has been indisposed in the last few days.

The royal father, it was also learnt, has not been seen in the public recently, a development attributed to his failing health.

Concerns of the residents over the whereabouts of the royal father heightened Wednesday afternoon, after his second in command, the Ogboni of Esa Oke, Chief Paul Olamiju, announced a dusk to dawn curfew.

The reason for the sudden curfew imposed on the community was not stated in the statement issued by Chief Olamiju.

That further increased the fears of the residents about Oba Adediran’s health.

The statement by Olamiju, also directed that the main market in the community be shut immediately, and suspended all social activities in the town forthwith.

It partly read further, “The Traditional Chiefs in Esa Oke Obokun Local Government have announced a dusk to dawn curfew in the ancient community.

“Rising from an emergency meeting this afternoon in Esa Oke, the Chiefs said movement in the town will be restricted from this evening till tomorrow evening.

“According to the Chiefs, the main market in Esa Oke has been shut for a while, as all social activities have also been suspended.

“All visitors, travellers, the students and staff of the Osun State College of Technology Esa Oke are enjoined to take note of the development.”

Efforts to reach Chief Olamiju for more clarifications failed as calls to his line did not go through.

Messages sent to him through whatsapp, to seek further clarification on the state of health of Oba Adediran and the sudden imposition of curfew, had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report. (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)