One of the Ekiti monarchs killed by gunmen campaigned vigorously for the election of President Bola Tinubu, members of the community recounted to visiting state officials led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Tuesday.

Mr Oyebanji visited Esun Ekiti and Imojo Ekiti following the murder of two traditional rulers, Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area and Elesun of Esun Ekiti in Ajoni, Ikole Local Government Area.

The traditional rulers were killed by gunmen suspected to be herders while returning from a meeting.

During the meeting in Esun, the governor’s team was told by a community representative that the late traditional ruler canvassed votes from the community for the All Progressives Congress.

“…it was here,” a woman said, referring to the King’s Court, “where he told us to thumbprint for APC.”

“If they have started killing kings, what is left of our own fate?

“The Bororos are not giving us peace here, they are killing our people anyhow,” she added. 

The deaths of the two traditional rulers are reminders of the escalating insecurity not only in Ekiti State but also across other regions in the country. The rising cases of banditry, killings, and kidnapping continue to show that several communities are besieged by fear and uncertainty.

As the affected communities reel from the loss of their monarchs, another incident happened just about hours later. Bandits attacked a school bus in Emure Ekiti and abducted schoolchildren along with a teacher and the bus driver. 

A statement from the state government noted that it was on top of the situation and directed effort towards rescuing the kidnap victims.