The police have confirmed that gunmen had kidnapped Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso, in the Oye local government area.

Sunday Abutu, the spokesman for the police in Ekiti, confirmed the incident and described it as “unfortunate and regrettable.”

Mr Abutu said the gunmen stormed the traditional ruler’s palace on Thursday and abducted him.

“Yes, the incident happened yesterday (Thursday night) at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,” he said.

Sources in Ilemeso told journalists that the gunmen, numbering six, scaled the ruler’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.

They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.

“After they gained entry, the gunmen asked after the Oba, which showed that they really came for him,” one of the sources said.

Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Isan Ekiti, the country home of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, narrowly escaped being kidnapped at Isan Ekiti last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro road. 

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers on Friday has called for the deployment of troops in the state following attacks and kidnap of royal fathers by gunmen.

The council’s chairman of the council and Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, made the call in a statement.

Mr Ajibade was in reaction to the Thursday kidnap of Oba Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso, and the foiled kidnap of Oba Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti.

The chairman stressed the need to deploy troops to the state to assist the police in flushing kidnappers and terrorists.

Mr Ajibade described attacks and kidnap of “royal fathers” in the state as “embarrassing, worrisome and troubling.” He urged the police to swing into action and rescue the monarch.

The traditional ruler appealed to residents of the various communities to give useful information on suspicious persons and movements. 

(NAN)