Again, kidnappers strike in Ekiti, seize another monarch

Barely two months after a monarch was abducted in Ekiti State, another monarch has been seized by some prowling gunmen in the area.

This time around, their latest victim is the traditional ruler of Eda Ile in Ekiti-East council area, Oba Benjamin Oso.

Ekiti borders on Kwara, Ondo, Kogi and Osun States which have been experiencing the menace of Fulani herdsmen and kidnappers.

In May 2021, gunmen had invaded the palace of the monarch of Ilemeso in Oye local government area, Oba David Oyewumi, and abducted in similar manner.

The kidnappers, Persecondnews learnt, had swooped on the monarch on his farm within the community on Friday evening and took him away right in the presence of his wife.

“The monarch and the wife would have been kidnapped, but he pleaded with the abductors to spare his wife.

“Both went to farm and were accosted by these gunmen. The two would have been kidnapped, but the monarch begged the bandits to release his wife,” a dependable source said.

Contacted, the Commander of Amotekun, the state arm of the regional security network, retired Brig.-Gen. Joe Komolafe, confirmed the incident.

“All the security outfits in the state, including police, soldiers, Amotekun corps, local hunters and vigilance groups are already combing the forests in search of the monarch,” he said.