Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed the traditional ruler of the Agamo community in the Akure North Local Council Area of Ondo State, Oba Kehinde Falodun.
The monarch was killed on Wednesday night within the premises of his palace when the gunmen, numbering about 10, stormed the community.
According to sources, the traditional ruler was killed after he resisted attempts by the bandits to kidnap him.
A close family source added that the gunmen initially opened fire on Oba Falodun, but the bullets failed to penetrate, after which he was hit on the head with a weapon.
“The attackers arrived at the community through the Itaogbolu axis and were speaking Hausa language during the operation. We believe that they are part of an organised criminal gang,” the source stated.
With the incident throwing the community into a state of panic and heightened tension, the wife of the deceased monarch disclosed that the attackers invaded the palace at about dusk shortly after he returned from a short trip to the palace.
She stated that “he went to Akure and came back, saying he wanted to rest a bit, so he sat outside.
The bandits just came and started shooting. They were about 10 in number. Three of them were at the entrance, while about seven came inside. I ran away; one of them chased me, but he did not know how I escaped into a nearby bush. I was shot at, but it did not affect me.”
According to her, the assailants dragged the monarch away despite her cries for help, stressing that “they kept dragging my husband, and I kept shouting, but nobody could come out to rescue him. They later hit something on his head and his stomach. He has been killed. They were speaking the Hausa language.”
Also, one of the monarch’s daughters said, “They just invaded the palace and kept shooting at the king, but the bullets didn’t penetrate. They carried him, but he kept insisting he was a king. They kept beating him, wanting to take him away.
“They kept shooting sporadically. Everybody ran for their lives. They carried him three times, and Baba kept telling them to drop him. Later, they brought out something like a knife and attacked him.
“The king was later killed outside the palace with blood gushing out of his head. He was with the Olori and a female guest when they came. They beat the guest and seized her mobile phone.”
The daughter said the attackers were dressed like Fulani herders and spoke Hausa, adding that they invaded the palace through the Itaogbolu axis.
The State Police Command, in a statement, described the incident as tragic, disclosing that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the gunmen.
It said, “Information received at the Division at about 7:50 p.m. from a community leader, High Chief Ajewole Clement of New Town, Itaogbolu, indicated that approximately six armed men stormed the residence of the monarch, forcibly took him from his compound, and subsequently fled the scene.
“The victim was later found a few metres away with gunshot wounds. He was confirmed dead at the scene. Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, alongside command tactical teams, promptly mobilised officers in collaboration with local security outfits, including Atuluse Security, local hunters, and Amotekun operatives, to comb adjoining bushes and surrounding areas in a bid to apprehend the perpetrators.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects. Monitoring and surveillance activities have been intensified across the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“The Police Command assures the public that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those responsible for this heinous act to justice. Members of the public with credible & actionable information are urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command.”
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