Ekiti Kidnappings: Empower traditional rulers to secure communities – Obas to State Govt

Precious Oham, Adebayo Adenrele

…as Students’ Body condemns abduction of school kids




The Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers on Wednesday called on the Ekiti state government to empower the Obas with adequate resources to tackle the insecurity issues in their communities.

This was contained in a communique at the end of the emergency meeting of the council, conveyed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji with the echelon of the State security agencies in attendance on the spate of attacks in the state and signed by its Chairman, Oba Ayorinde Ilori Faboro, the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti.

They condemned the brutal killing of its members and the kidnap of school children while calling on government at all levels to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

The communique reads: “That the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers was deeply saddened by the murder of two of its members HRM Oba Samuel Olusola Olatunji, PhD, the Olumojo of Imojo-Ekiti and HRM Oba David Ogunsakin, the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti and the abduction of school children and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti same day Monday January 29, 2024.

“Council condemns in the strongest terms the sacrilegious and brutal killing of its members and the kidnap of school children and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti.

“Council calls on Governments at all levels to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the Law in no distant time.

“Council further calls on the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to Ekiti as the State is generally under policed. Council demands that the State Government should empower the traditional rulers with adequate resources to police and secure their domains.

“Council members have been directed to take all necessary measures to ensure all forests currently occupied by bandits and kidnappers are flushed out immediately and that no bushes and forests are occupied by anybody henceforth.

“Council calls on all regular and native security systems to work together to end all manners of criminalities in the State. Council appeals to all Ekiti home and broad not to panic nor apprehensive as drastic measures will be collaboratively taken to ensure Ekiti is secured.

“Council calls on patriotic Ekiti indigenes all over the world to generously support their communities to provide local security arrangements to protect lives and property in all communities.

“Council commends the Governor for providing quality leadership at this time and encourages him to remain focused. Council commiserates with the bereaved families and communities of the late Obas and prays for the ropes of their souls in eternal rest.

Meanwhile, the National Association of University Students, Campus Monitoring Committee (NAUS CMC), Ekiti State chapter, also decried the abduction of six pupils, three teacher and a driver of Apostolic Faith Groups of School in Emure-Ekiti.

The body also condemned the killings of the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olatunji, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, who were gruesomely murdered by unknown gunmen in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Union, Comrade Oluwatobi Ogunleye.

Ogunleye said the protection of the pupils and students is their topmost priority as a student body regardless of the cadre and jurisdiction.

While commending the intervention of the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his prompt response to the disturbing incident, he called on the government to increase security measures, thorough investigations, and a collaborative effort to bring the perpetrators of the evil deeds into justice.

The statement read in part, “NAUS CMC (National Association Of Universities Student, Campus Monitoring Committee) EKITI State chapter, extend our sincere commendation to the swift intervention of the Governor of EKITI State, His Excellency, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in response to the recent distressing incidents in our community.

“However, the unfortunate kidnapping of six pupils, three teachers, and a driver from a school bus in Emure Ekiti demands our immediate attention as the safety, and protection of our pupils and students is our topmost priority as a student body regardless of the cadre and jurisdiction.

“It is also with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of two esteemed kings – the Olumojo Of Imojo, Oye local government area, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, The narrow escape of the Alara of Ara Ekiti after the firing of several bullets by unknown gunmen as identified to be herdsmen underscores the urgency of the situation.

“We urge for increased security measures, thorough investigations, and a collaborative effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.”