Ex-Governor, Senator, Minister, Others Spit Fire Over Murder Of Ekiti Monarchs, Pupils Abduction

Eminent personalities among who are former Governor Kayode Fayemi, Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, Minister of Solid Mineral Resources, Dele Alake and others have continued to fume and express their sadness over the recent killing of two traditional rulers and abduction of private school pupils and their teachers in Ekiti State.

The monarchs, Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti; and Oba Olatunde Olusola, the Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti were killed by gunmen while returning from a security meeting on Monday.

In a statement, personally signed, Fayemi condemned the act, and described it as sorrowful and heinous.

“It is with profound sadness and deep sorrow that I condemn the senseless killings of Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, and Oba Olatunde Olusola, the Olumajo of Imole Ekiti, which occurred on January 29.

 “I express my deepest condolences to the government and people of Ekiti State over this unfortunate incident. My heart aches for the families, friends, and communities affected by this appalling act of violence, as such acts of violence have no place in our society.”

He lamented that the country had witnessed an upsurge in activities 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.

“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.”

Bamidele, in a statement, demanded unconditional release of other kidnap victims, tasking the security agencies to go after the abductors.

He mourned and condoled with the people of the affected communities and the entire state over the killing of the monarchs, promising to use the instrumentality of legislation in collaboration with Governor Biodun Oyebanji to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

Also, in a statement, Alake said, “This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need to address the broader issue of insecurity in our nation, and the President Tinubu-led administration remains committed to surmounting these challenges.

“I strongly condemn this act of violence and urge the security agencies to swiftly apprehend the assailants, ensuring they face the full wrath of the law. Justice must be served for this heinous crime.

“Additionally, I call on the Police high command and the Department of State Security to take immediate action to rescue the kidnapped primary school pupils from Emure-Ekiti.”

On his part, spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, who broke down in tears over the killing of two monarchs in Ekiti, called for a security intervention to stem the tide of criminality ravaging Ekiti State.

He stressed that there has been an increase in criminal activities in Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency in recent times resulting in the loss of lives and properties, adding that the escalation in violence had led to the gruesome murder of two monarchs in the state.

He urged the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the military to the outpost along the Oke-Ako area to enhance security and forestall a repeat of these beastly acts and also urged the Ministry of Works and FERMA to immediately rehabilitate the Ayedun to Irele road, and other roads in the Federal Constituency.

Equally reacting, the Yoruba Leaders of Thought (YLT), in a statement by its National Secretary, Mr Bayo Aina, said the killing of the traditional rulers has further revealed that no one was safe in the state.

It called on security agents to arrest the abductors of the school children and return the children to their families.

While commiserating with Governor Oyebanji, the group said security agents must be up and doing to assure citizens of the safety of their lives and properties,

It described as unacceptable the recurring incidents of kidnappings in the state, saying citizens could not continue to live under perpetual fear for their lives.