Herdsmen Strike Ekiti

Tragedy struck Ekiti State today as two revered traditional rulers, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olushola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin fell victim to a heinous attack, resulting in their untimely deaths. The incident unfolded between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti in Ajoni Local Government Area of the state, sending shockwaves through the community.

According to reliable sources cited by Oodua News, the assailants, believed to be armed herdsmen, attacked the monarchs who were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their colleagues, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, on Monday. The armed men stopped their convoy, and without provocation, unleashed a hail of bullets upon them. Tragically, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti and the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti succumbed to the attack, their bodies callously dragged into the dense bush by the assailants.

In a twist of fate, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped the clutches of the armed men as they attempted to forcefully abduct the royal entourage. The harrowing encounter left the surviving monarch shaken, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the brazenness of the attackers.

The wave of violence did not spare the younger generation, as reports surfaced of a distressing incident in Eporo Ekiti, Emure Local Government Area. Armed men, suspected to be the same assailants, ambushed a school bus, resulting in the kidnapping of several school children. This alarming development adds another layer of concern to the security crisis in the region, amplifying the urgent need for decisive action to protect the lives and well-being of the populace.

The community is left in mourning, grappling with the shock and grief brought about by the targeted violence against its esteemed traditional leaders. The authorities are urged to swiftly investigate these gruesome incidents, apprehend the perpetrators, and implement robust measures to ensure the safety and security of the citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as school children.