Ado Ekiti, Nigeria – The Ekiti State Government has refuted claims of ongoing attacks on residents by unknown gunmen and the subsequent loss of multiple lives. The denial follows the recent suspected bandit attack on three traditional rulers, resulting in the death of two of them.
A viral video circulated after the attack, suggesting that similar incidents had claimed numerous lives in the state prior to the recent events. The video featured a woman speaking during Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s visit to the family of one of the late traditional rulers.
In response to the video, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, dismissed the allegation of previous attacks, stating that no such incidents had occurred in the last one and a half years.
The commissioner attributed the emotional nature of the allegations to the recent tragic deaths of the traditional rulers and emphasized that the security challenges witnessed in the state were a reflection of the wider security situation in the country.
Furthermore, the Council of Traditional Rulers in Ekiti State, after a meeting with the governor, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the two traditional rulers and the abduction of school children and their teachers on the same day in Emure-Ekiti.
In a statement, the Council condemned the killings and kidnappings, urging governments at all levels to apprehend the perpetrators and deploy additional security personnel to the under-policed state. Additionally, the Council called on the state government to empower traditional rulers with the necessary resources to secure their domains.
The council also directed its members to take measures to clear forests occupied by bandits and kidnappers and prevent future occupation. Meanwhile, the state government assured that security agencies were working to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
In conclusion, the Council commended the state governor for his leadership during this challenging time and extended condolences to the families and communities of the deceased traditional rulers.