Another Ekiti traditional ruler, the Obadu of Ilemeso, in Oye LGA Oba David Oyewumi has again been attacked and abducted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers after invading his palace.
Police Command in the state has confirmed the incident, vowing to get at the ruler’s abductors.
Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Isan Ekiti country home of Gov. Kayode Fayemi, the same area where another traditional ruler, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi escaped death and attempted kidnap by the whiskers barely a week ago, while on transit along Ewu-Ayetoro road.
The escaped ruler whose car was riddled with bullets, and also sustained gunshot injuries in dangerous parts of his body is currently battling with life in hospital facility.
On the latest victim, local sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that the gunmen, numbering six ,scaled the fence of the Obas’s palace and shot severally into the air to scare the occupants .
According to one of the sources, the incident happened around 8.30 pm on Thursday night around 9pm, when the chiefs who had earlier visited the place, had left.
“In the process of shooting, they gained entrance into the bungalow where the traditional ruler and members of his family were and started beating them.
“They were asking after the Oba which showed that they really came for him and not any other person. “Immediately they sighted him, they dragged him and took him out of the palace”, the source said.
Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) in Ekiti, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate and regrettable .
Abutu said the gunmen stormed the palace on Thursday night with assorted rifles and traumatised the occupants, culminating in the eventual abduction of the Oba.
” Yes, the incident happened yesterday, (Thursday) night in the Oba’s palace. and we are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits”, the PPRO assured.
Cases of kidnapping and other heinous crimes had become almost a daily occurrence in Ekiti, with concerned residents, especially y the Ekiti Council of Elders recently raising apprehension and calling on government and security agencies to rise to the occasion and allay fears.
