A First Class Traditional Ruler in Ekiti State and Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, has commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for being diligent in securing the release of pupils and teachers of The Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, abducted by gunmen in his community last week Monday.
The Monarch praised Oyebanji for instantly deploying an ambulance and six medical personnel to administer medical treatments for the victims immediately they were freed and for sending a delegation to sympathise with the family of the slain driver, Mr. Taiwo Olugbaye, who was murdered in the kidnappers ‘den.
Meanwhile, the Government delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Chief ( Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has visited Olugbaye’s family, the driver of The Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure Ekiti, who was killed in the kidnappers’ den, with an assurance that the state government would not relent until those abducting and killing innocent citizens are arrested and punished.
The monarch spoke in his palace at Emure Ekiti, on Sunday, while receiving a government’s delegation, led by the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, who came on a sympathy visit to the town in respect of Olugbaye’s painful death.
Also on the government’s delegation, who had earlier visited the family of the slain driver, was the Chairman of Emure Local Government , Hon Adedayo Tosin Adedigbo.
Olugbaye, who was abducted with six other school children and teachers of the missionary school last Monday, was killed while being held hostage by the kidnappers.
Addressing the delegation, Oba Adebayo, described the driver’s death as highly excruciating, but expressed delight that eight out of the nine victims were rescued alive.
Specifically, the monarch praised Governor Oyebanji for caring for the victims and for being resolute in his promise to rid the state of criminals, describing these as product of the Governor’s exemplary leadership and love for the citizens.
“Immediately these children and teachers were released, Governor Oyebanji deployed an ambulance and six medical personnel here to take care of the pupils and their teachers. This showed that he was so caring and lovely. The fact that he sent his Deputy here to sympathise with us shows that he is a caring governor.
“I am not also unaware of the various steps he had taken to make sure that criminals are not given any breathing space in Ekiti. In fact, all these are commendable efforts. We are really pleased with what Governor Oyebanji is doing and we want to assure that my town will support whatever measure he puts in place to make Ekiti safe.
“Though, we lost Mr. Olugbaye to these criminals, but we thank God that eight others, including the pupils and teachers were brought back alive”.
Addressing the monarch and his chiefs , the Deputy Governor disclosed that the Governor has held strategic interfaced with security chiefs, where various strategies to further secure Ekiti were mapped out.
Mrs Afuye said strategic security actions are now in full throttle to comb all the forests across the state and smoke out criminal elements.
Expressing the condolences of the state government to the victim’s family, Mea Afuye said the only honour the state can do the dead is to devise ways of arresting the killers, the task he assured the government will accomplish with vigour and determination.
The Deputy Governor promised the support of the state government for the deceased’s family, saying they won’t be neglected at this harrowing phase of their lives.
“We are here on behalf of Mr Governor to sympathise with you. We know what it means to lose a loved one. We feel your pains and anguish, but we are not resting and sleeping. We will fight hard until those kidnappers and killers making Ekiti looks unsafe are dealt with.
“We have taken all the necessary steps. We have met with the Security Chiefs and traditional rulers. We have taken strategic decisions that will stop all these senseless killings.
“As a government, we are really pained by this gruesome killing. But what is left now is how to help the family. We are going to support you. Governor Oyebanji will surely look for the right way to lessen your burden”.
Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s family, Mr Fatai Oseni, appreciated the Governor for the visit, appealing to the government to offer permanent jobs to some of the deceased’s children in order to to sustain the widow.
