By Kelechi David
The Government of Ekiti State has expressed regrets over the gruesome killing of two farmers at Isaba-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area.
The deceased, Toyin Akeju a.k.a. Jisoro, and Mr. Yusuf Onoche a.k.a. Baba Owala were reported to have been industrious family men and community leaders who were popular and well loved by the community.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akinbowale Omole said that the duo did not deserve the fate that befell them.
Mr Omole said that the Ekiti Government empathised with the Asaba of Isaba-Ekiti, Oba Olanrewaju Adeyanju, the families of the slain, and the entire people of Isaba-Ekiti on this tragic occurrence, which had understandably led to demonstrations in protest of the killings.
The Government therefore appealed to the community for calm even when justifiably grieving and angry, and count on their cooperation with the security agencies in the investigations.
Mr Omole said that the deeply worrisome development was being investigated by the Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Ekiti, with a view to bringing the culprits to book and forestalling a reoccurrence saying that the Government of Ekiti state is fully supporting the security agencies in this regard.
The Information Commissioner added that in a demonstration of empathy and association with the community’s grief, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi paid an early Sunday morning visit to the community during which he said, “Every life in Ekiti is sacred, and by the grace of God, the sincere commitment of the Government of Ekiti state to the protection of lives and property, and the cooperation of our people, justice will be done. We stand by you and will do all it takes as a government to bring the culprits to book, and ensure Ekiti is safe and secure.”
In a related development, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has condemned the killing of Toyin Akeju and Yusuf Onoche at Isaba-Ekiti.
The Chairman Council of Obas in Ekiti State who is also the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Ajibade-Alabi while reacting to the incident urged the people of the community to join hands with the security agencies to ensure that those behind the evil act are brought to book.
Akeju and the Labourer had gone to clear the farm land for rice plantation when the ugly incident occured.
The news which filtered to the town on Saturday led to disruption of commercial activities as some angry youths barricaded the major roads.
