An emotional scene unfolded in the House of Representatives on Tuesday when the Green Chamber’s Spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, wept intermittently while moving a motion on the urgent need to address the rising tide of insecurity in Ekiti State.
This insecurity led to the recent deaths of two traditional rulers: the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola.
Rotimi, representing Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency, expressed his deep sorrow over the increase in criminal activities in the area, which have resulted in loss of lives and properties. He pointed out the unique security challenges faced by the constituency, attributed to its dense forests, topography, and dilapidated roads.
“On Monday, January 29, 2024, criminals launched a heinous attack in the Oke-Ako area of Ikole Local Government Area, leading to the deaths of the two traditional rulers and leaving several others with life-threatening injuries,” said Rotimi in a voice laden with emotion.
“These events are not isolated incidents,” he continued. “In the past few days alone, a commercial driver was killed between Ayedun and Ayebode by armed bandits, and just yesterday, a busload of students was abducted in Emure Ekiti, with their whereabouts still unknown.”
He praised the late Onimojo as an intellectual, a historian, and a forthright orator, and remembered the late Elesun as a peace-loving king dedicated to the development of the Esun-Ayedun communities.
Rotimi criticised the Nigerian Army’s military outpost on the road, stating its ineffectiveness due to limited patrolling, which only occurs on Tuesdays, leaving the communities vulnerable.
The House, adopting the motion, urged the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the military to the outpost in the Oke-Ako area to enhance security and prevent further tragedies.
It also directed the Inspector General of Police, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies to deploy additional personnel to Ekiti North 1 and ensure the perpetrators of these heinous acts are brought to justice.
