The killing of two monarchs in Ekiti State on Monday and the murder of another one in Kwara State on Thursday night have elicited shock and apprehension across the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Friday, talked tough condemning the Ekiti killings while the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, said the murder of a traditional ruler in the state, Oba Peter Segun Aremu, was dastardly and gruesome.

Both traditional rulers urged security agencies to fish out the culprits “whoever they are.”

Sultan Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), expressed concern about the murder of two Ekiti traditional rulers, describing the development as painful and unfortunate and one that must be condemned by all.

The Sultan, on Friday, in his reaction in a statement by his media team, noted that the gut by which traditional rulers were ambushed and taken down, “as if life no longer matters in the land,” made “perpetrators of such heinous, wicked and condemnable act unfit to remain amidst human community, if found.”

It will be recalled that two traditional rulers, the Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Olusola, and the Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, were killed on Monday by gunmen while returning from a security meeting in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Another monarch, the Olukoro of Koro in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba Peter Olusegun Aremu, was murdered in his palace on Thursday night by gunmen who also abducted his wife and two other persons.

Sultan Abubakar, who is also Chairman, National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, while expressing deep concern on the Ekiti incident, recalled that the late Onimojo, as an important monarch, was on the entourage of the Attah of Aiyede, Oba AbdulMumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, when he paid him a visit in Sokoto and was conspicuously on ground to be part of his rousing reception during his return visit to Aiyede Kingdom in Ekiti State.

He, therefore, called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and heads of other security agencies in the country to go after the killers and present them before the law of the land for justice to be done.

“The police should take their anti-crime battle to these criminals now, wherever they are, whoever they are and ensure that no matter their status and stature in the society, they should not be spared and must be brought to justice, while efforts must be made to henceforth prevent repeat of such dastardly act before it happens in the future,” the Sultan said.

He extended his condolences to the government of Ekiti State, the Attah of Aiyede Kingdom, the immediate families of the slain Onimojo and Elesun as well as the entire people of their respective towns, praying that Allah would grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sulu-Gambari; the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Senator Bukola Saraki; the senator representing Kwara Central senatorial district under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Malam Saliu Mustapha and the state chapter of the PDP called on security forces to get to the root of the killing of the Kwara traditional ruler.

Alhaji Sulu-Gambari condemned the murder of the Olukoro and the abduction of his wife and two others.

In a statement on Friday in Ilorin, the emir appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property in the state.

He expressed the condolences of the entire members of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council to the people of Koro community, indigenes of Ekiti Local Government Area, government and people of Kwara State over the incident.

He urged the Kwara State government to ensure that necessary support is given to security agencies in curbing the incessant crimes across the state.

The emir urged religious leaders across the state to embark on special prayers for the state for the restoration of peace and harmony.

Also, the senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Saliu Mustapha, condemned the murder of Oba Peter Olusegun Aremu-Cole.

He described his murder and the abduction of his family members as a sacrilege.

He joined in charging our security agencies, including the local vigilantes, not to relent in their pursuit of the perpetrators of “this vile act.”

Also, the President of the eighth Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, expressed shock over the killing of the monarch and the kidnap of his family members.

In a statement on Friday in Ilorin, Saraki condemned the act, describing it as dastardly, inhuman and unpardonable.

The state chapter of the PDP also condemned the killing of the traditional ruler and the abduction of his wife and two family members.

In a statement released by Mr Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the party condoled with the people of the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq described the incident as shocking and abominable.

AbdulRazaq, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, condemned the killing of the monarch and the abduction of his wife and two others.

He charged the security agencies not to spare any resources to track down the perpetrators and free the spouse and others taken away.

“We will certainly get the perpetrators and ensure that this is their last crime against humanity,” the governor said, adding: “My profound condolences go to the people of Koro. Our hearts are broken and we stand by them at this time and always.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, who also confirmed the incident early Friday, assured of a swift action by the police.

“Immediate and intensive investigations are underway to apprehend those criminals for this reprehensible act. We assure the public that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly,” he said.

Speaking during his condolence visit to the community on Friday, the state deputy governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, promised on behalf of the state government to arrest killers of the monarch as well as rescue victims of the abduction.

Koro town in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State is about three hours’ drive from Ilorin, the state capital. It is a boundary town between Kwara and Kogi states. (Saturday Tribune)

•COMBO of The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar andthe Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari

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