President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, condemned the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State by suspected kidnappers.
The traditional rulers, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Olatunde Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, David Ogunsola, were said to be returning from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti in a vehicle being driven by one of their counterparts, the Alara of Ikole Ekiti, Adebayo Fatoba, when gunmen struck at a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday.
Two of the monarchs were killed in the ambush, but Fatoba escaped from the scene.
Confirming the development, Chairman of the Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Michael Ogungbemi, said the attackers made attempt to kidnap the three traditional rulers in an ambush in an area called “Ayo Shock” between Ipao and Oke Ako.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement titled, ‘President Tinubu condemns killing of traditional rulers in Ekiti, directs immediate rescue of kidnapped pupils,’ stated, “President Tinubu condemns this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice.”
The President, who mourned the two traditional rulers, condoled with their families and subjects, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on what he called a “deeply agonising development.”
Tinubu also ordered the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around Eporo-Ekiti area of the state.
No fewer than six pupils, three teachers and a bus driver were kidnapped in Ekiti by unknown gunmen when they were returning from Eporo-Ekiti on Monday night.
A post by Ekititrends on its X account on Tuesday said the incident involved students from Apostolic Faith School, Ekiti.
In his reaction to the incident, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the nation’s security architecture was being robustly fortified for better and expected result’s as the security of life and property remained the primary responsibility of his government.