Ogun traditional rulers condemn murder of Ekiti monarchs, lament insecurity

The Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers has expressed its sadness over the reported killing of two monarchs in Ekiti State.

The Akarigbo of Remoland and Chairman of the Council, Oba Adewale Babatunde Ajayi, spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers on Tuesday.

The Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin and Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, were killed on Monday by gunmen in an ambush, while the Alara of Ara Ikole-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesman for the Akarigbo palace and Baamofin of Remoland, Otunba Bayo Onafuwa, said Oba Ajayi referred to the news as sad.

“On behalf of all the Obas in Ogun state, HRM Akarigbo wishes to commiserate with the families of the departed. It is, however, a sad commentary on the state of insecurity in the country.

“Kabiyesi urges the government to do its best by protecting the lives of its citizens. It is now apparent that the issue of state security ought to be revisited as a matter of urgency,” the spokesman said.

The alarming rise in abductions persists, despite the efforts of security agencies.

Incidents of kidnappings are being reported daily in different regions of the country.

On Monday, five pupils of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, and four staff members were kidnapped.

Their abductors have demanded a N100m ransom for the release of the nine victims.

The abduction occurred when a group of armed individuals intercepted the school bus carrying 25 students on their way home after school in the Emure community in Ekiti State.

Meanwhile, the police in Ekiti State said on Tuesday said they had apprehended five suspected kidnappers.

They had launched a manhunt with the help of hunters, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun, Odua Peoples Congress, and other partners.

The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in response to the killings of the two monarchs, paid condolence visits to the palaces of the two communities and the people of the two towns.

Also, President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, condemned the killing of the two obas and assured that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

“President Tinubu condemns this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice,” a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read.