ANOTHER EKITI TRADITIONAL RULER KILLED, WIFE ABDUCTED

The police have confirmed the killing of a traditional ruler in Kwara State, Peter Aremu, the Onikoro of Koro-Ekiti, in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state by kidnappers.

Police spokesperson in the state, Ejire Adeyemi-Tohun, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) late Thursday in llorin, the state capital.

She added that the assailants also kidnapped the king’s wife.

“The gunmen invaded the residence of the traditional ruler in the evening and killed him and went away with his wife,” the police spokesperson said.

She said some police personnel, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Koro-Ekiti, were already at the palace of the late traditional ruler.

“They have began investigations into the whereabouts of the killers, as well as the abductors of the late king’s wife,” she said.

However, confirming the development, the state government said the gunmen also abducted two other persons in the incident at the the king’s palace.

In a statement released by the government at 10.42 p.m. on Thursday, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the killing of the traditional ruler.

“The monarch was reportedly shot dead in his palace on Thursday night by some unknown gunmen, who also whisked away his wife and two others,” the statement read.

“The governor condemned the development, which he said was reckless, shocking, and abominable.

“He charged the security agencies not to spare any resources to track down the perpetrators, free the spouse and others taken away, and bring them to book.

“We will certainly get the perpetrators and ensure that this is their last crime against humanity. My profound condolences go to the people of Koro. Our hearts are broken, and we stand by them at this time and always.”

The incident happened a few days after kidnappers killed two traditional rulers in neighbouring Ekiti State and abducted nine persons, including five students, from a school bus.