Security
Gunmen Claim Lives Of Two Traditional Rulers In Ekiti
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In a tragic turn of events, gunmen believed to be kidnappers have fatally shot two revered traditional rulers in Ekiti State, while another narrowly escaped the same fate.
Travelling along the Oke-Ako road in Ikole Local Government Area, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsakin, and the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Samuel Olusola, fell victim to the assailants.
The three monarchs, returning from a security summit in Irele Ekiti, encountered the gunmen’s ambush, leaving them in a dire situation.
Miraculously, the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, managed to evade the attackers’ bullets, fleeing into the wilderness.
Prince Micheal Ogungbemi, Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, lamented the loss, confirming the nefarious attack.
Local security forces, alongside the Amotekun corps, swiftly mobilised to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
Secretary of the Majority Obas of Ekiti Land (MOBEL) and Onikun of Ikun-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde David Olushola, vehemently condemned the heinous act, urging the government to overhaul the security apparatus to curb the escalating insecurity plaguing the region.
The untimely demise of these revered figures has cast a sombre shadow over Ekiti State, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced security measures to safeguard its citizens and leaders alike.
The explosion followed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest.
According to several sources, the explosion happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.
The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened the road for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok and other LGAs in southern Borno with the help of a military convoy serving as security cover for the commuters.
The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IED by the military and this has been going on for over two years now.
The injured persons whose numbers are yet to be specified have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.
The National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding a lasting solution to the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Speaking at Operation Safe Haven headquarters in Jos during an operational visit in the aftermath of attacks in some communities of the Bokkos Local Government Area LGA) of the state, Ribadu promised to end the killings.
Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.
Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.
Also, speaking about the killings, the District Head of Manguna wants the government to provide more security personnel in the affected communities to curb rural-urban migration.