By Ayodele Oni
Travelling along Oye – Isan – Iludun highway in Ekiti state has become a nightmare following the wave of kidnapping along the route.
The latest victim of Banditry along the highway is a First Class Monarch, Atta of Aiyede Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area. He miraculously escaped with bullets wounds on Sunday night.
Past victims of kidnapping along the highway include a former Commissioner in Governor Fayemi’s cabinet, Ebenezer Olabode, a former Local Government Chairman, Prince Adegoroye whose case happened last week and host of others.
Confirming the incident in a statement Monday morning was Media and Publicity Consultant to the paramount ruler, Prince Bashir Adefak
The statement reads “The Attah and Paramount Ruler of Aiyede Kingdom, Ekiti State, South West Nigeria, His Royal Majesty Oba Alhaji Abdul Mumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, was Sunday night at about 9.30 pm attacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
“Kabiyesi, whose security guards provided by Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were withdrawn recently for no given reason, was returning from Ijero Ekiti when he got accosted by the criminal elements, on a spot between Isan and Iludun, in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of the state.
“The gunmen opened fire on his SUV car during which one of the bullets that penetrated from the owner’s side of the vehicle hit the Kabiyesi on his left leg. He was rushed to a specialist hospital in Oye, Oye Ekiti Local Government and is now responding to treatment.
“Good news, apart from his life being saved, is also that no other member of his entourage got hurt.”
There have been calls on the State Government to erect a permanent military post at that particular point, which has become hot spot for kidnappers.
There have been occasional patrols by policemen from Oye and Ilejemeje Local Governments but this seems not to have checked the activities of the bandits.
It will be recalled that another First Class Monarch in the State, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi was also shot by suspected kidnappers last year along Ayetoro-Ewu road around 7.00 pm after he dropped off a guest.
Ekiti State Police Command is yet to react to the incident.
