Group asks Oyebanji to fix roads, deploy surveillance

A youth group, Ajoni Local Government Youth Group, has said the attack on and killing of two traditional rulers along Oke Ako-Irele Road in their domain by gunmen in January has continued to be a source of concern which calls for heightened security in the area and indeed the state.

Bandits on January 29 along the Irele-Oke Ako Road attacked three traditional rulers and killed two – the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin; and the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola. The third monarch, the Alara of Ara (Ikole), Oba Sunday Fatoba, managed to escape.

The police have arrested one Babuga Lede in connection with the killing of the traditional rulers. Lede is standing trial for alleged conspiracy to kidnap, attempt to murder and murder of the two monarchs.

The ALGOYID Chairman, Emmanuel Olu, in a letter to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, canvassed the deployment of helicopters or drones for surveillance of the expansive forest in the area.

Olu said the deployment of helicopters for aerial surveillance of the area “will help to detect any suspicious activities and prevent further attacks”.

The youth group, which called for the repair of the roads and fixing of the bad portions that criminals had been taking advantage of, said, “The damaged portions along Ayedun-Irele Road need to be promptly repaired to ensure safe travel for our community members.”

Olu, who called for investigation and justice on the killing of the two traditional rulers, stated, “We urge Your Excellency to launch a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime. This will ensure that justice is served for the lives that have been lost.”

The group also made a case for the security of traditional rulers, saying, “In order to fortify the security of our monarchs, we request that you provide each monarch with a Toyota Hilux vehicle and two armed police officers as official security detail.”

The group lauded Oyebanji for the deployment of soldiers to the state after the ugly incident of bush combing to smoke out the criminals from the bushes and forests in the state.

It stated, “We commend Your Excellency and your entire team for the swift deployment of troops to aid the security personnel in their work. We urge continued efforts in this regard to comb and flush out the criminals from the forests where they are hiding. This will help to restore peace and security in our community.”