A youth group, Ajoni Local Government Youth organization, has claimed the attack on and killing of two traditional rulers along Oke Ako-Irele Road in their domain by gunmen in January continues to be an important cause of concern which demands for heightened security in the region and indeed the state.
Bandits on January 29 along the Irele-Oke Ako Road attacked three traditional rulers and killed two – the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin; and the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola. Oba Sunday Fatoba, the Alara of Ara (Ikole), the third monarch, succeeded in making his getaway.
One Babuga Lede has been taken into custody by the police in relation to the assassination of the traditional leaders. Lede is on trial for allegedly plotting the two monarchs’ kidnapping, attempted murder, and eventual murder.
In a letter to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, ALGOYID Chairman Emmanuel Olu advocated for the use of drones or helicopters to monitor the area’s vast forest.
Olu said the deployment of helicopters for aerial surveillance of the area “will help to detect any suspicious activities and prevent further attacks”
The group further demanded that the roads be fixed and the problematic areas that had been exploited by criminals fixed, saying, “The damaged portions along Ayedun-Irele Road need to be promptly repaired to ensure safe travel for our community members.”
While calling for investigation and justice on the killing of the two traditional rulers, Olu stated, “We urge Your Excellency to launch a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This will ensure that justice is served for the lives that have been lost.”
“To strengthen the security of our monarchs, we request that you provide each monarch with a Toyota Hilux vehicle and two armed police officers as official security detail,” the group said in support of the protection of traditional rulers.
The organization applauded Oyebanji for sending troops to the state following the unsightly incidence of bush combing to smoke out the crooks hiding in the state’s forests and shrubs.
It stated, “We commend Your Excellency and your entire team for the swift deployment of troops to aid the security personnel in their work. We urge continued efforts in this regard to comb and flush out the criminals from the forests where they are hiding. This will help to restore peace and security in our community.”
