Two traditional rulers have been killed by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen while at least seven students, including a teacher and driver of a private school have also been kidnapped in Ekiti State.
The traditional rulers are the Elesun of Esun in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin; and Olumojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, Oba Samuel Olatunji.
The kidnapped driver works with Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure Ekiti.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that the Alara of Ara in Ikole Local Government, Oba Adebayo Fatoba escaped when the armed men accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away.
The incidence took place on Monday evening between Oke-Ako and Ipao Ekiti, in Ajoni Local Government area.
Sources said the monarchs were returning from Ogbe in Kogi State in a vehicle driven by the Alara when the armed men struck.
“They were travelling together. The armed herdsmen stopped them and rained bullets on them. They took their personal belongings and dragged their bodies into the bush”, one eye witness told journalists.
A source said the monarchs were coming from a meeting where security issues were discussed
He said the attackers were armed Fulani men who have been operating in that area for the past five years.
“They fired many bullets at the Alara but he was lucky. He escaped from the scene and ran away”, the source said.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, Sunday Abutu said: “I will get the details and get back please”.
As at press time, Amotekun operatives have been mobilised into the area.
Meanwhile another source from Emure Ekiti told journalists that seven students with one teacher and a school driver were kidnapped while returning from school located in Emure Ekiti to their village in Eporo Ekiti, which is under Emure LGA.
