By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
Former acting governor of Ekiti State, Rt Hon. Tunji Odeyemi has condemned in strong terms, the gruesome killings of two traditional rulers and the abduction of an unspecified number of school children by gunmen in Ekiti .
On Monday evening , two traditional rulers- the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in an ambush by armed men while returning from a meeting. Another traditional ruler, the Alara of Ara –Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped the attack.
While describing the killings and abduction of innocent children as unacceptable, Odeyemi called on governor Biodun Oyebanji to rise to the ocassion and rejig the security architectures inorder to forestall future recurrence..
The chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) attributed the frequent attacks at Oke Ako Irele axis and other parts of the State, to an alleged porous and collapse of intelligence .
Alluding to the provisions of the Law ,as enshrined in Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution , Odeyemi posited that the primary responsibility of government shall be to cater for the welfare and security of the citizens
Accorcing to him , the Constitution also guarantees the right to life, liberty, and personal security of every Nigerian citizen.
He therefore called on the government to strengthen her intelligence networks around the black spots in the State.
The PDP chieftain also sympathize with the people of Emure, Imojo and Esun-Ekiti over the unfortunate incidences.
Odeyemi said : ” I want to express my deep concern and condemnation to the brazen killings of two traditional rulers and abduction of an unspecified number of school children by yet-to be identified gunmen in Ekiti .The frequent attacks and abduction of innocent citizens in certain part of the state calls for serious concern and action by the authorities concern .
” I am aware that these ugly incidences frequently take place in Ekiti ,particularly where we have Forest Reserves. Just recently, armed robbers attacked some commercial banks in Ikere-Ekiti and casualties were recorded.
“We have also witnessed the abducted of the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) Barister Paul Omotoso, in addition to the attacks on motorists along Iju- ItaOgbolu axis of Akure.It’s time for swift action .
“It is evident that we cannot rely on the conventional means of combating crime and criminality in the state ,anymore ,if we really desire to win the war against kidnappings and banditry.
While commiserating with the government and people of Ekiti over huge loss,I want to charge our governor to take the issue of security of lives and properties more seriously.
“At this point, I will urge the governor to summon a stakeholders meeting which shall involve the farmers, local hunters and community leaders .There is the need to flush out these bad elements from the forests. Government must also fortify our security operatives for them to function effectively.
Pls treat