Tension As Gunmen Kidnap Ekiti Monarch

Unknown gunmen have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Ilemosho-Ekiti, in Oye Local Government of Ekiti State, Oba David Adegboyega.

Naija News reports that this incident occurred barely eight days after another monarch, the Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi escaped abduction.

It was learned that the Obadu of Ilemosho was abducted around 8:30pm on Thursday after meeting with his chiefs in his palace.

According to a source who spoke with The Nation, the gunmen laid siege on the palace along Isan-Ekiti when the chiefs who had earlier visited the place had left.

He said the kidnappers gained access into the palace through the fence, fired shots into the air, and whisked away Oba Adegboyega.

He said: “Yes, His Highness has been kidnapped. Baba was abducted right in his palace by gunmen numbering four who forcibly gained entrance through the fence.

“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 monarch, 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 added some people in the community who are predominantly farmers have started relocating from the community to neighboring towns over the fear of being kidnapped.

Spokesman of Ekiti Police Command, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the kidnap of the monarch, describing it as “unfortunate and regrettable”.

Abutu said the State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo, had ordered a serious manhunt for the kidnappers to rescue the monarch as well as arrest the suspect.