President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around Eporo-Ekiti area of Ekiti State.
The Elesun of Esun in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area, Oba Babatunde Ogunsola; and Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, Oba Olatunde Olusola; and a driver with Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Emure Ekiti were killed by armed herdsmen on Monday, while at least seven students, including a teacher and driver of a private school were also kidnapped.
According to a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President condemned “this mindless and brutal bloodletting, and pledges that the perpetrators will not escape justice”.
“The President condoles with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on this deeply agonizing development”, Ngelale said.
He further said: “It is with grief that President Bola Tinubu receives the news of the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
“As security of life and property is the primary responsibility of government, President Tinubu assures Nigerians that the nation’s security architecture is being robustly fortified for better and expected outcomes”.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake also extended his condolences to Oyebanji, “the government and people of Ekiti State, especially the families and subjects of our departed kings”.
He said that the tragic incident, again, “speaks to the challenges of insecurity in our country, which the President Tinubu-led administration is working very hard to surmount.
“While I strongly condemn this unfortunate incident, i urge the security agencies to fish out the assailants and ensure they face the full wrath of the law until justice is served.
“In the same vein, I call on the Police high command and the Department of State Security to rescue the primary school pupils from Emure-Ekiti that were kidnapped on their way from school at Eporo-Ekiti.
“There is no doubt that this is a very distressing moment for the people of Ekiti State and Nigerians in general, but the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will continue to work very hard to improve security situation in our country”.
