Gunmen Abduct Ekiti Monarch: Oba Council Wants Deployment of Soldiers

The Obadu of Ilemeso, Ekiti in Oye Local Government of Ekiti State, Oba David Oyewumi has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Oba Oyewumi was said to have been kidnapped late last night at his palace.

According to report, the abductors of the monarch numbering six were said to have scaled the fence of his palace and shot sporadically before whisking away the Oba to unknown destination.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Police Command, Mr Sunday Abutu confirmed the abduction of the monarch to Radio Nigeria.

Mr Abutu said investigation had commenced on the matter while some officers had also been deployed to the community to rescue the monarch and as well arrest the suspected kidnappers.

The abduction of Oba David Oyewumi is coming barely a week when the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi was shot by some gunmen between Ewu and Ayetoro-Ekiti.

Just last week, unknown gunmen also abducted the manager of a petrol station in Isan Ekiti, Mr Itakodoro, Adebayo and up till now he had not been released.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji  Alabi has called on the police to swing into action and rescue the kidnapped Obadu of Ilemeso Ekiti, Oba David Oyewumi.

Speaking in his palace in Ilawe-Ekiti on behalf of all traditional rulers in the  state, the Alawe, who described the situation as embarrassing and  worrisome, urged the police to increase patrols both day and night to stop kidnappers from having free movement in Ekiti. 

The monarch suggested that more personnel should be recruited into the Amotekun corps in addition to equipping the security outfit with modern  gadgets in order to monitor all routes and forests in the state.

The chairman of Ekiti traditional rulers further called for the deployment of soldiers to the state to support other security outfits in flushing out all kidnappers from Ekiti forests and other hideouts. 

Oba Alabi urged members of the various communities in Ekiti to always give useful and timely information on unusual movements of strange faces to security agents.

Ogunrinde Amos