House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resumed Plenary session and urged the heads of the nation’s security forces to immediately deploy personnel to Ekiti to stop the cases of increasing insecurity in the state, the latest being the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers at Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government Area of the State on Monday
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion under matter of Public importance titled ” THE NEED FOR SECURITY AGENCIES TO URGENTLY STEM THE TIDE OF CRIMINALITY RAVAGING EKITI STATE” moved by Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, Jr. representing Oye-Ekiti / Ikole 1 Federal Consistency of Ekiti State
Moving the motion, the Lawmaker who was in tears said, “Monday, January 29, 2024, these criminals carried out a dastardly attack in the Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government Area resulting in the death of two traditional rulers: the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti Oba Olatunji Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola and leaving a host of others with life-threatening injuries,”
According to him, “the House notes that there has been an increase in criminal activities in Ekiti North 1 (Ikole / Oye) Federal Constituency in recent times resulting in the lost lives and properties.
” Also Notes that the constituency is exposed to peculiar security challenges due to the nature of our forests and topography, and more painfully because Ekiti Federal roads are some of the most dilapidated in the entire country.
“Further Notes that on Monday, January 29, 2024, these criminals carried out a dastardly attack in the Oke-Ako area in Ikole Local Government Area resulting in the death of two traditional rulers: the Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti Oba Olatunji Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti Oba David Babatunde Ogunsola and leaving a host of others with life-threatening injuries.
“Shocked that this is not an isolated event, as in the past few days alone, a commercial driver was killed between Ayedun and Ayebode by armed bandits, and just yesterday, a school bus load of students were abducted in Emure Ekiti and their whereabouts is still unknown.
“Aware that the late Onimojo was an intellectual and highly intelligent historian and orator who always spoke truth to power.
“Also, Aware that the late Elesun was a peace-loving king who was very hands-on in the development of Esun-Ayedun communities.Further Aware that because of the topography of the area, and the bad roads, there has been an incursion of murderous elements who parade themselves as herdsmen leading to heightened insecurity
“The House recognises that the entire people of Imojo in Oye local government and Esun in Ikole Local Government and the entire state have been thrown into mourning on account of the loss of our highly revered traditional rulers who were forces for community development, peace, and stability in the constituency and the entire state.
“Cognizant that the Nigeria Army has a military outpost on the road, which has been non-functional, as they only patrol on Tuesdays, leaving the communities exposed for the rest of the days”.
The House urged the Chief of Army Staff to redeploy the military to the outpost along the Oke-Ako area to enhance security and forestall a repeat of these beastly acts; and directed the Inspector General of Police, the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, and other security agencies to deploy more men to Ekiti North 1 and ensure that those who carried out that dastardly acts were fished out and brought to justice;
The House also urged the Ministry of Works and FERMA to immediately rehabilitate the Ayedun to Irele road, and other roads in the Federal Constituency.