The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed deep concern about the recent murder of two Ekiti State traditional rulers, saying the development is one that must be condemned by all.
The Sultan made his position on the killing of the monarchs known in a statement by his Media Team on Friday.
He said the gut by which traditional rulers are ambushed and taken down, like life no longer matters in the land, makes perpetrators of such heinous, wicked and condemnable act unfit to remain amidst human community, if found.
It will be recalled that two traditional rulers: Onimojo of Imojo-Ekiti, Oba (Prof.) Samuel Olushola, and Elesun of Esun-Ekiti, Oba David Ogunsakin, were killed by yet to be identified assailants while returning from a security meeting in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State on January 29, 2024.
Sultan Abubakar recalled the late Onimojo as an important monarch on the entourage of the Attah of Aiyede, Oba AbdulMumini Adebayo Orishagbemi, when he paid him a visit in Sokoto and who was conspicuously on ground to be part of his rousing reception during his return visit to Aiyede Kingdom, Ekiti State in the past.
Describing the murder of the two Ekiti Obas as “extremely painful and very unfortunate”, the Sultan, who is also Chairman, National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of other relevant security agencies in the country to go after the killers and present them before the law of the land for justice to be done.
He added: “The police should take its anti-crime battle to these criminals now, wherever they are, whoever they are and ensure that no matter their status and stature in the society, they should not be spared and must be brought to justice, while efforts must be made to henceforth prevent repeat of such dastardly act before it happens in the future.”
Meanwhile, Sultan Abubakar extended his condolences to the government of Ekiti State, Attah of Aiyede Kingdom, immediate families of the slain Onimojo, Elesun and the entire people of their respective towns, while praying that Allah would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.