Ekiti State in Shock as Gunmen Abduct School Pupils, Kill Two Monarchs
Ekiti State is reeling from a spate of violent attacks by gunmen who kidnapped an unknown number of school pupils and killed two traditional rulers in separate incidents on Monday.
The school pupils, who attend Apostolic Faith School in Emure Ekiti, were abducted by armed men who ambushed their school bus on the way to Eporo Ekiti around 5 pm on Monday, according to a social media post by an eyewitness.
The kidnappers have not yet contacted the school authorities or the parents of the abducted children, raising fears for their safety and whereabouts.
The same day, two prominent traditional rulers in Ekiti State were shot dead by gunmen who attacked them on the road between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti in Ajoni Local Government Area.
The deceased monarchs were identified as Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area, and Oba Oluwadare Adepoju, the Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area.
They were returning from a meeting of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers when they were ambushed by the assailants.
The motive behind the attacks is still unknown, but the police have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators and vowed to bring them to justice.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has condemned the attacks and commiserated with the families of the victims.
He also assured the residents of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring their security and safety.
He urged anyone with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the kidnapped pupils and the arrest of the gunmen to contact the nearest police station.
