The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’Union of Nigeria, Ekiti State Council has joined other well meaning Nigerians to condemn the gruesome killing of two traditional rulers by some suspected kidnappers along Ipao-Oke Ako road and adoption of school pupils at Emure Ekiti on Monday.
The deceased monarchs, Onimojo of Imojo Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsola were murdered by unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers along Ipao-Oke AKo road in Ikole local Government Area of Ekiti State.
In a press statement jointly signed by the Chairman of RATTAWU in Ekiti State, Comrade Jasper Taiwo Falae ad and the Secretary, Comrade Ayodele Ogunmilade, the union while commiserating with the government and people of Ekiti State over the incidents described the killing of the monarchs as the height of disrespect to the sanctity of Yoruba tradition and an affront on the government.
RATTAWU also expressed deep sympaty and prayed for quick and safe rescue of the kidnapped pupils and some members of staff of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School Emure Ekiti who were abducted along Eporo Ekiti. The union called on security agencies to leave no stone unturned in ensuring their release. The abductors of the pupils were said to have demanded a ransom of one hundred million naira.
“In curbing this ravaging kidnapping trend in the country, all of us must work together decisively and urgently before it’s too late. The punishment for kidnaping must be made stiffer by our legislators. In some climes, capital punishment is prescribed to serve as a strong warning for other criminals. The government should recruit more officers into our security outfits and arm them heavily to be able to stand up to these murderers in a duel”, opined by the union.
The statement went further to suggest public education of convicted kidnapper to send a very stern warning to other kidnap groups.
Meanwhile, the union went on to suggest “open grazing under which many criminal herdsmen hide to perpetrate kidnapping and other crimes should be outlawed and private and public ranching should be encouraged.
“Intelligence gathering and sharing between the people and the security agencies should be strengthened as a vital too in proactively apprehending criminals”
The media workers union commended the quick response of Governor Biodun Oyebanji on the issue and urged the governor to ensure permanent 24 hours surveillance is carried out along Oke Ako route as the axis is becoming notorious for these nefarious activities. “It is good for government to respond promptly to issues like this and commiserate with people but the government should go further to enhance the system that will prevent acts like this from becoming popular, productive and fashionable in our society. We pray that governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji will not issue our condolence messages ever again to the people of Ekiti State. We will continue to live in peace and tranquility we are known for”, the union submitted.
