Petition Tinubu, Oyebanji on persistent abductions, killings by terrorists after monarchs’ death

Rresidents of communities in Ekiti State, under the auspices of Ekamefa Peoples Congress (EPEC), consisting of six ancient communities of Iyemero, Irele, Oke-Ako, Itapaji, Ipao and Ijowa-Ekiti, have raised the alarm over persistent abductions and killings in their areas.

In Save-Our-Soul (SOS) separate letters to President Bola Tinubu and Ekiti State Governor Abiodun Oyebanji, the communities voiced their concerns over the persistent unreported killings and kidnappings that had held the people captive.

In the letter titled: “Murder, kidnapping and continuous terror siege and threat to livelihood in Ekamefa,” which was signed by Sam Bello (Irele-Ekiti); Jacob Erinfolami (Itapaji-Ekiti); Samuel Medayedupin (Ijowa-Ekiti); Femi Bodunde (Oke-Ako Ekiti); James Odeleye (Iyemero-Ekiti) and Ige Oluwasegun (Ipao-Ekiti), the communities said the killing of the three traditional rulers only brought to national limelight the dark atmosphere of insecurity that descended on the communities many years ago unabated.

The letter reads: “We wish to express our gratitude for your condolences. While there have been various responses and condolences, it is important to also listen to the voices of the communities affected by the savage killings. These are our voices from the real victims-our true feelings, the cry of the people that live in these communities, who feel the pain, the anguish and the flow of innocent, royal blood.”

The Congress, therefore, called for the establishment of one police station each in Iyemero, Itapaji, Ipao, Oke-Ako, Irele and Ijowa-Ekiti, special consideration for indigenes of Ekamefa recruitment in the proposed community policing system, security outposts to be cited in all the border towns of Iyemero, Ijowa and Irele-Ekiti, provision of patrol vehicles for local hunters to enable them to perform effectively and the building of Hunters’ Outposts supplied with day and night vision goggles to detect intruding armed groups for prompt signal to necessary security operatives.”

They also advocated the reconstruction of Irele-Ayedun, Ijowa-Ogbe, Itapaji-Oke-Ako and Itapaji-Iyemero-Eruku roads to combat the threat of terrorists who are rapidly establishing strategic cells in this critical forest.

The statement added: “As we write to you sir, our heart is broken, our eyes are weary and full of tears; our shoulders are heavy with a huge burden that you are capable of lifting.”