A 344-year-old tortoise popularly known as Alagba, in the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso, is dead.

The scared tortoise which was the oldest in Africa, was sick for a few days before her demise on Thursday.

The tortoise became a popular breed upon ascension of the throne of the current Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi with the monarch providing good shelter and health support for the tortoise during its sojourn on earth.

Confirming the incident by the Private Secretary to Oba Oyewumi, Toyin Ajamu, stressed that the tortoise, which attracted people from all walks of life from Nigeria and abroad, will be greatly missed not only by the palace household but everyone who came in contact with Alagba during her lifetime.

According to Ajamu: “Alagba had lived in the palace for centuries. The tortoise played host to many monarchs in Ogbomoso in the past.