Find, prosecute Ekiti monarchs’ killers, Igboho charges FG, security agencies

As condemnations continue to trail the Monday gruesome murder of two traditional rulers in Ekiti by gunmen, Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Thursday charged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to ensure the timely arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

He also said no effort should be spared by the security agencies to rescue the pupils of the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, who were also abducted by some hoodlums.

It is recalled that the gunmen on Monday ambushed and murdered the Elesun of Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin and his counterpart in Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola, on the highway between Ipapo and Oke Ako, while Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped from the scene of the incident.

Reacting to the development in a statement forwarded to the Nigerian Tribune, by his counsel, Pelumi Olanjengbesi, Adeyemo demanded that the gunmen who killed the two monarchs must be arrested to pay for their heinous crime.

Describing the killing as barbaric and an affront to the Yoruba traditional institution, he said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, Ekiti State government and the resilient people of Ekiti, particularly those in Esun Ekiti and Imojo Ekiti, in the wake of the tragic demise of the esteemed Elesun and Olumojo monarchs, our revered royal fathers.”

The statement reads: “My thoughts also go out to the affected families and the innocent school children kidnapped in Eporo Ekiti of Emure Local Government Area of Ekiti State. This sorrowful incident not only signifies a profound loss for the Yoruba people but also casts a sombre shadow on our identity as a peace-loving community. Such heinous acts undermine the security and progress of Ekiti State and other states grappling with this menace.

“I categorically condemn these barbaric murders and urgently call on both the state and Federal Government to take decisive action in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We demand the immediate apprehension of the murderers and a thorough search of the surrounding woods and forests to root out those hiding to perpetrate such evil deeds.

“In seeking justice, I invoke the god of iron, Ogun, to intervene and put an end to this menace. May the collective will of the Yoruba people prevail, and may the departed monarchs find eternal peace. We stand in unified grief and resolve to ensure that such tragedies do not mar the peace and prosperity of our beloved Yorubaland.

“It is my solemn appeal and encouragement to government at all levels to allow us to mobilise local community vigilantes to complement all security agencies in protecting our people. This is very painful. Our people deserve to live. All those connected to such wicked acts, be it for politics, criminality, or sheer wickedness, should know that the end is near,” the statement concluded.