Two monarchs killed, one escaped

Details have emerged on how two prominent traditional rulers were killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in Ekiti State. The traditional rulers were the Elesun of Esun in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin and Olumojo of Imojo in the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, Oba Samuel Olatunji.

Eyewitnesses told journalists that the Alara of Ara in Ikole Local Government escaped when the armed men accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away.

The incident took place on Monday evening between Oke-Ako and Ipao Ekiti, located in Ajoni Local Government area.

Three monarchs ambushed

Sources said the monarchs were returning from Ogbe in Kogi State in a vehicle driven by the Alara when the armed men struck.

“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,” one eyewitness told journalists. He said the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped. A source said they were coming from a meeting where security issues were discussed.

Suspected herdsmen attacked monarchs

He said the attackers were armed Fulani men who have been operating in that area for the past five years.

“They fired many bullets at the Alara but he was lucky. He escaped from the scene and ran away” the source said.

When contacted, the police Spokesman in the state, DSP Sunday Abutu said it is a suspected case of murder but details will be communicated as soon as it’s available. Necessary action is underway as tactical and intelligence teams have been deployed to that axis. he added. Meanwhile, the state government has described the incident as unfortunate, the state Govenor, Oyebanji has also directed the security Agencies to fish out the perpetrators. Govenor Oyebanji also sued for peace, urging the people not to take laws into their hands.