Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Monday evening killed two traditional rulers in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The traditional rulers were the Elesun of Esun, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin and Olumojo of Imojo, Oba Samuel Olatunji. The Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba managed to escape from the incident, he was the one driving when the attackers struck.
The monarchs were reportedly ambushed and killed by the gunmen along Ipao-Irele-Oke Ako while returning from Ogbe, a neighbouring town in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It was gathered that the vehicle conveying three monarchs was accosted and Oba Ogunsakin and Oba Olatunji were killed while Oba Fatoba escaped from the scene.
“They were travelling together. The armed herdsmen stopped them and rained bullets on them. They took their personal belongings and dragged their bodies into the bush,” a source said.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, Sunday Abutu said: “I will get the details and get back please.”
Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Micheal Ogungbemi confirmed the incident to newsmen. Ogungbemi, who condemned the attack, said the gunmen attempted to kidnap the three monarchs.
Ogungbemi, who lamented the killing of the revered traditional rulers, said he had mobilised local security outfits including the Amotekun corps to comb the forest in a bid to arrest the perpetrators.
According to him: “ I just returned from the scene of the unfortunate incident along Oke-Ako road and I can confirm that two traditional rulers: the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti and Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti were killed by the gunmen who ambushed them.”
In a related development, it was learnt that unspecified number of school children were kidnapped in Emure Local Council of Ekiti. According to a source in the community, the school name is Apostolic Faith Nursery/Primary School.
It was learnt the school bus was Eporo Ekiti community bound, when the incident happened. The school is owned and controlled by the Apostolic Faith Mission State Headquarters, located beside UBA and NDE state office, Ajilosun in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
The police is yet to respond to call to confirm the two incidents as at the time of filling this report.
