*Rep weeps as he presents motion on killings
President Bola Tinubu has condemned 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, by gunmen.
A presidency statement on Tuesday, said Tinubu condemned “this mindless and brutal bloodletting”, even as he vowed that the perpetrators will not escape justice.
The President condoled with the families and subjects of the traditional rulers, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, and the people of Ekiti State on this deeply agonizing development.
In the same vein, the President directed the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped around Eporo-Ekiti area of the State.
“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”, said the statement issued by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
Meanwhile, spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rep. Akin Rotimi (APC-Ekiti), broke down on the floor of the chambers on Tuesday, while presenting a motion on the increasing insecurity in Ekiti state.
Presenting the motion, Rotimi said that there has been an increase in criminal activities in Ekiti North 1/Ikole/Oye Federal Constituency in recent times resulting in the loss of lives and property.
He said on Monday, January 29, 2024, criminals attacked the Oke-Ako area of Ikole Local Government Area resulting in the death of two traditional rulers.
The weeping lawmaker said that the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola were killed in the attack while a host of others were left with life-threatening injuries.
Rotimi recalled that a commercial driver was recently killed between Ayedun and Ayebode by armed bandits and that yesterday, a school bus conveying students attacked and the student abducted in Emure Ekiti, and their whereabouts are still unknown.
The emotional lawmaker said that the constituency is exposed to peculiar security challenges due to the nature of its forests and topography.
According to him, it is more painful because Ekiti Federal roads are some of the most dilapidated in the entire country.
He said that the late Onimojo was an intellectual and highly intelligent historian and orator who always spoke truth to power.
Rotimi who was been comforted by his colleagues, also said that the late Elesun was a peace-loving king who was very hands-on in the development of Esun-Ayedun communities.
“Because of the topography of the area and the bad roads, there has been an incursion of murderous elements who parade themselves as herdsmen leading to heightened insecurity
The House urged the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the military to the outpost along the Oke-Ako area to enhance security and forestall a repeat of attacks.
The legislators also urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, and other security agencies to deploy more men to Ekiti North 1.
The lawmakers also tasked the security agencies to put all measures in place to rescue the school children and teachers in Emure Ekiti.
The ‘Green Chamber’ urged the Ministry of Works and FERMA to immediately rehabilitate the Ayedun to Irele road, and other roads in the Federal Constituency.
The House observed a minute silence in honor of the memory of the dearly departed monarchs.