Traditional ruler to Oyebanji: Deal with kidnapping in Ekiti, restore sanity

Oba Adebanji Aladesuyi, the traditional ruler of Ijan-Ekiti, has urged Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti, to address the rising spate of kidnapping in the state.

He said kidnapping has made some farmers to abandon their farms and relocate to safe areas.

The monarch spoke at Ijan-Ekiti during a press conference organised as part of activities to mark his first coronation anniversary.

Aladesuyi expressed satisfaction over the restoration of electricity to his community after 10 years of blackout.

He said this will improve the socio-economic activities of his people.

“I am happy and I commend the state government for the effort to restore electricity to some parts of the state including my domain after 10 years of total blackout. The economies of our people will be better for it,” he said.

“I appeal to Ekiti state government as well as security agencies operating in the state to redouble their efforts and tackle the menace of incessant kidnapping in various parts of the state.

“The kidnapping and other crimes perpetrated by a yet unidentified group of people especially at the Ijan/Ilumoba and Aisegba-Ekiti axis of the state have to be stemmed.

“The development has resulted in panic in the area and made some farmers abandon their farming activities.”

The monarch advised governments at all levels “to focus attention on the development of cottage industries” and to splurge on agriculture, as a way of mitigating the economic hardship being experienced by the populace.