Two traditional rulers in Èkìtì have been killed by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen.
The two Ọbas are the Onimojo of Imojo Èkìtì His Royal Highness, Ọba Olatunde Olusola in Oye Local Government Area and the Elesun of Esun Èkìtì His Royal Highness, Ọba Babatunde Ogunsakin in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area of Èkìtì State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Alara of Ara in Ikole Local Government escaped when the armed men accosted them and attempted to forcefully take them away.
The incidence took place on Monday evening between Oke-Ako and Ipao Èkìtì, located in Ajoni Local Governmenr area.
The traditional rulers were coming from a meeting when the incident happened.
“They were travelling together. The armed herdsmen stopped them and rained bullets on them.
They took their personal belongings and dragged their bodies into the bush” one eye witness reported.
He said the Alara of Ara Èkìtì escaped.
A source said they were coming from a meeting where security issues were discussed
He said the attackers were armed Fulani men who have been operating in that area for the past five years.
“They fired many bullets at the Alara but he was lucky. He escaped from the scene and ran away” the source said.
Sources told our correspondent that as at press time, Amotekun operatives have been mobilised into the area.
An official of Oodua Liberation Movement, OLM in Èkìtì State said the armed Fulani men have for long occupied the forest between Ondo, Èkìtì, Kwara and Kogi State saying that the area is like their “Sphere of Influence”.