Ekiti Assembly holds special plenary session on killings,kidnapping

-Condemns murder of monarchs, school students abduction

By Samuel Ogunsona

The members of Ekiti state House of Assembly have held special plenary session to discuss the worrisome security challenges in the state.

The state House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribisoye, condemned the brutal attack that led to the death of two monarchs in the state and also the abduction of five school children on Monday evening.

The Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Prince Micheal Ogungbemi, where the two monarchs were murdered, appeared before the House to give his presentation.

Prince Micheal who lamented that Ajoni LCDA has been too open for bandits and kidnappers to operate urge the government to support the local security force in other the end the security threat in the area.

He said, “Rt. Hon. Speaker and distinguished members of the House, in realization of the fact that Ajoni LCDA was porous and open to banditry and kidnapping activities, about two years ago when I became the Chairman, a security summit at Ajoni LCDA was promptly organized that birthed Ajoni Local security Network codenamed -Eradicate Bandits At the Borders of Rural Ajoni Communities (EBBORAC) thereby launching a counter offensive against the killings and Kidnappings in the area.”

“Mr Speaker, the support for the local security outfits would reinforce their efforts in forest combing and quick response to any security threat at the borders and forest in Ajoni territories.”

“We need to do regular forest combing in the area and do regular assessment of camps and settlements in the forest for us to eradicate these security challenges” he added.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Tolu Ige, emphasized the need to maintain the peace and tranquility that Ekiti is known for.

“Mr Speaker, the importance of strengthening the operational capability of Amotekun including enhancing the conditions of service of its personnel at a time like this cannot be overemphasized.”

“There is need for continuous dialogue between security agencies and communities across the State including more enabling more visibility of security operatives to restore citizens confidence in the state security framework”

Reporting the abduction of some school pupils and teachers in Emure Local Government, Hon. Alhaja Maryam employ the House to urgently call relevant security agencies to act fast on their release and also bring the perpetrators to book.

“The Rt. Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, I am emotionally traumatized about the news of abduction of some School Pupils and Staff of Apostolic Faith Mission by armed men at Eporo Ekiti in Emure Local Government on Monday 29th January, 2024.”

“I wish to implore this House to call on the relevant security agencies to ensure the abducted pupils and the staff be rescued and the perpetrators be brought to book.” She said.

The Speaker assured the people that all hands are on deck on the security issues and also mentioned that’s efforts are ongoing to collaborate with other southwest states in the fight against these criminal elements.

“On Monday 29th January, 2024 I commenced the tour of Southwest States in my capacity as Chairman Southwest Conference of Speakers with the aim of having interactions with assembly speakers across the southwest and governors who might be available for interface particularly on how the southwest states could work together to ensure the security of lives and properties of the people.”

“I received the news of the tragedy at home when I was in in Oyo state , forcing me and my team to halt the journey and suspend the trip to Ogun and Lagos States which were the remaining states to cover, heading back home to address the current emergency.” He stated