Police operatives in Ekiti state have apprehended five individuals suspected to be involved in the kidnapping incident that led to the tragic killing of two traditional rulers – Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, and Onimojo of Omojola-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola.
The monarchs were ambushed and killed by armed men on Monday night between Oke-Ako and Ipao-Ekiti in Ajoni local government area as they returned from a security meeting in Irele-Ekiti. The third monarch, the Alara of Ara-Ekiti in Ikole LGA, narrowly escaped the assailants.
According to Sunday Abutu, the spokesperson for the state police command, a joint operation involving the police, NSCDC, Amotekun, OPC, and local hunters led to the arrests in a forest within the state. The suspects, identified as Usman Jelili, Mohammed Bande, Abubakar Aliu, Isah Abdulahi, and Suleiman Abdulahi, were taken into custody during a bush combing operation.
Abutu highlighted that the investigation is ongoing, and it is yet to be determined if the arrested individuals are directly linked to the killing of the traditional rulers. The suspects initially claimed to be herdsmen, but further scrutiny revealed that none of them had cattle in their possession.
Items found in their possession during the forest operation included two motorcycles, one cutlass, one jack knife/dagger, and four mobile phones.
