A traditional ruler, the Atah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Afeleye Orisagbemi, on Sunday was reported to have narrowly escaped death in the hands of suspected kidnappers.

Oba Orisagbemi is the fourth traditional ruler in Ekiti state to suffer a similar fate since last year.

Witnesses said the incident occurred when the traditional ruler was returning from a meeting outside his domain.

A witness said the hoodlums attempted to kidnap Mr Orisagbemi, shot at him without effect; a development credited to the traditional ruler’s superior talisman.

Mr Orisagbemi is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, and efforts to get him to speak on the failed kidnap were unsuccessful.

Ekiti police spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident, adding that efforts were on to capture the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, the first victim was kidnapped; the second escaped kidnapping after his attackers scaled the palace fence and beat him to a pulp, while the third one escaped before the assailants struck.

(NAN)