Group lauds Oyebanji over release of abducted Ekiti pupils, teachers
By Remi Koleoso
A Lagos-based Ekiti Socio-political group, Ekitiparapo, has commended Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti for his unrelenting efforts that resulted in the release of the kidnapped pupils and their teachers on Sunday.
The President, Ekitiparapo Association, Lagos, Mr Oladele Ojogbede, gave the commendation in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
Ojogbede expressed absolute confidence in the governor’s leadership style as well as his commitment to rid the state of criminals.
“The disturbing news emanating from our native land, Ekiti, call for urgent action. We also condemn the recent killing of two traditional rulers in the state.”
NAN recalls that the six school children and three teachers of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure-Ekiti, who were kidnapped few days ago were released by their abductors, early Sunday.
However, the school bus driver, Mr Taye Rasaki, was said to have been killed by their abductors.
The also sympathised with the governor over death of two traditional rulers killed by suspected kidnappers, while returning from a function in Irele-Ekiti on Monday,
The late traditional rulers were Onimojo of lmojo-Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olushola and Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin.
The third traditional ruler, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, the Alara of Ara Ikole-Ekiti, who was also in the same vehicle with two assassinated traditional rulers, however, escaped the attack.
“It is indeed a sad development that our state that has enjoyed relative peace and tranquility in recent times , has become the den of kidnappers and murderers of highly placed citizens like our Obas..
“We sympathise with Oyebanji and the good people of the state on these sad incidents.
“We urge the governor to join hands with other governors of South Western states to strengthen the Amotekun squads.”
He also said that there was need to equip the Amotekun with adequate personnel and weapons to be able to rise up to this new wave of insecurity that is permeating Southwest states.”
He identified love of money over humanity as the root cause of incessant kidnappings in the country.
He also urged politicians to be circumspect in the way they openly displayed wealth and opulence in the midst of the poverty that the common man has had to endure over the years in Nigeria, arising from bad governance.
“Unfortunately, the poor masses are being made to suffer double jeopardy: economic poverty and lack of security of lives and property.
“Therefore, it is high time our government rise up to these challenges so that our society can be restored into the position of peace, prosperity and security of lives, as life has no duplicate.
“The primary responsibility of government is security of lives and property.
“We, therefore, encourage the security agents to fish out killers of the traditional rulers and kidnappers of the pupils with utmost urgency.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Chioma Ugboma
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