Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Monday killed two Ekiti State monarchs on the Ipao-Oke Ako Road.
The gunmen killed the Onimojo of Imojo in the Oye Local Government Area, Oba Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government Area, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, while the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba in the Ikole Local Government Area, escaped.
Sources said the traditional rulers were returning from a function in Kogi State when their vehicles ran into the suspected kidnappers, who had laid an ambush on the road.
The Chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Micheal Ogungbemi, in whose domain the incident took place, said that the dead bodies of the two obas had been recovered from the scene and taken to a mortuary.
The council boss explained that information indicated that the traditional rulers, who were coming from Kogi State, were attacked in the Oke Ako area.
“The monarchs had driven past the checkpoint of the local security outfit when the incident happened. The Alara, upon escape, informed the local security of the development. The bandits were carrying sophisticated arms,” Ogungbemi said.
Reacting to the killing in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, Fayemi urged the security agencies to take decisive steps against criminality in the country.
He said, “The country has witnessed an upsurge in the activity of kidnappers since the start of the New Year and Ekiti State which has been relatively peaceful also appears to be experiencing an increase in this heinous criminality.
“Whilst urging the security agencies to take decisive actions against these marauders, it is clear that we need an all-of-society approach to solving this national problem. I stand in solidarity with the government and people of Ekiti State in the efforts to rid the state of this menace even as I urge all our people to be more vigilant.
“I call on all security agencies to swiftly and thoroughly investigate this heinous crime and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Such acts of violence cannot be tolerated, and every effort must be made to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Also, the pastor, Christ Apostolic Church, Adamimogo Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain Worldwide,
Sam Olu-Alo, has urged Governor Biodun Oyebanji and security agencies to unmask those behind the killing of two monarchs in Ekiti State.
The cleric, while commiserating with families of victims and the government in a statement on Tuesday by his Personal Assistant, Deji Ogunbusuyi, described the incident as worrisome.
According to him, it is saddening that some agents of darkness are keen on endangering the peaceful status of Ekiti state and creating undue fear and tension.
“It is more worrisome that it happened at a time when the government is tackling various security issues and threats to lives and property. My heart goes out to the people of Ekiti, especially the victims and their families over their avoidable losses.
“the gruesome murder of these Royal fathers are condemnable, unacceptable, barbaric and painful despite government and Council of traditional rulers efforts at ensuring lives and properties of citizens are well protected from marauders.
“Those that carried out this heinous act must be unmasked to face the full wrath of the law and to serve as a deterrent to others,” Olu-Alo said.
Meanwhile, civil society groups, under the aegis of the Civil Society Joint Action Group, said 17,469 Nigerians were abducted under the Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu administrations from 2019 to date.
10 per cent of the incidents were said to have occurred under President Tinubu.
