The Ekiti State Police command has confirmed that a popular monarch in the State, Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso in Oye Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, has been kidnapped by gunmen.
ASP Sunday Abutu, the spokesman for the police, while confirming the incident, described it as ‘unfortunate and regrettable’’.
‘Yes, the incident happened on Thursday night at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,’ he said.
Sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that six gunmen scaled the Oba’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.
They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.
‘After they gained entry, the gunmen asked for the king which showed that they really came for him,’ one of the sources said.
Ilemeso is a neighboring town to Isan Ekiti, the country home of the Governor of the State – Kayode Fayemi.
It was reported that another traditional ruler, Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, was said to have narrowly escaped being kidnapped at Isan Ekiti, last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro road.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK