The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers on Friday called for the deployment of troops in the state following attacks and kidnap of royal fathers by gunmen.
The Chairman of the council and Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, made the call in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
Ajibade was reacting to the Thursday kidnap of Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso and foiled kidnap of Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti.
The monarch said there was the need to deploy troops to the state to assist the police in flushing kidnappers and terrorists.
Ajibade described attacks and kidnap of royal fathers in the state as “embarrassing, worrisome and troubling’’.
He urged the police to swing into action and rescue the traditional ruler of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba David Oyewumi, who was kidnapped on Thursday night.
The traditional ruler appealed to residents of the various communities in the state to give useful information on suspicious persons and movements.
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Meanwhile, police spokesman, Sunday Abutu, on Friday described the kidnap of Oba Oyewunmi as “unfortunate and regrettable’’.
Abutu said the gunmen stormed the traditional ruler’s palace on Thursday and abducted him.
“Yes, the incident happened yesterday, (Thursday night) at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,’’ he said.
Sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that six gunmen scaled the Oba’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.
They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.
”After they gained entry, the gunmen asked after the Oba which showed that they really came for him,’’ one of the sources said.
Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, narrowly escaped kidnap at Isan Ekiti, last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro road.
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