Ado Ekiti, Nigeria – The Ekiti State Government has refuted claims of ongoing attacks on residents by unknown gunmen resulting in multiple deaths. Following the recent attack on three traditional rulers by suspected bandits, which led to the death of two of them, a viral video circulated alleging numerous lives had been lost to similar attacks in the state prior to this incident.
The video features a woman speaking during Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s visit to the family of one of the late traditional rulers. However, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, denied the existence of similar attacks in the recent past as alleged in the video.
The woman in the video claimed that marauding Fulani herdsmen had been killing villagers with no action taken by the government. Olatunbosun dismissed these allegations as being borne out of emotions following the killing of the traditional rulers, clarifying that no such attacks had occurred in the state in the last one and a half years. He emphasized that the recent attacks are indicative of the security situation in the country, while assuring that efforts are underway by the state’s security apparatus to prevent a recurrence of the Monday incident.
In the aftermath of the meeting between traditional rulers in Ekiti State and the governor, the Council of Traditional Rulers expressed sorrow over the death of two of its members, as well as the abduction of school children and their teachers in Emure-Ekiti on the same day.
The Council condemned the brutal killings and the kidnappings, urging governments at all levels to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice swiftly. Additionally, they called for the deployment of more security personnel to Ekiti, as the state is considered to be under-policed. The traditional rulers also urged the state government to empower them with adequate resources to police and secure their domains.
Furthermore, the Council directed its members to take necessary measures to flush out bandits and kidnappers from occupied forests and to prevent any future occupation of such areas. While commending the state governor for his leadership, the Council offered condolences to the bereaved families and communities of the late monarchs, and prayed for the repose of their souls.