Ekiti State govt seeks arrest of perpetrators
The National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isaac Kekemeke, has condemned the abduction of Ekiti State Chairman of the party, Paul Omotoso, by gunmen.
Kekemeke, in a statement by his media office, urged security agencies to immediately redouble their efforts to secure the release of Omotoso unhurt.
Also, Ekiti State Government has urged the state’s police command, Department of State Services (DSS) and Amotekun Corps to free Omotoso and two others from captivity.
The Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, said Omotoso should not only be rescued unhurt but the perpetrators of the dastardly act should be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.
Oyebanji, who was represented by his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, gave the directive, yesterday, when he visited Omotoso’s family at Imesi-Ekiti, Ayekire Local Council of the state, to sympathise with them on the incident.
Similarly, the Governor, who was received by the victim’s family, also visited the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde to register his displeasure over the disturbing incident.
Oyebanji in his stern instruction, directed the police and DSS operatives to comb the sprawling forests along Agbado-Imesi-Irun Akoko in Ondo State and other suspected areas to rescue the victims safely from where they are being held hostage.
The Governor branded the incident as very troubling and disturbing, saying his government would continue to step up efforts to tighten noose on those who are occasionally terrorising Ekiti through senseless kidnapping, and made to face serious resistance.
As part of the ways to stamp out abduction in that axis of Ekiti, Oyebanji assured that the state forest reserves extending from Agbado-Imesi-Ise would be put to use to dislodge those using the area as hideout.
He said: “The Ekiti State Government under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, received with sadness, the kidnap of the State CHairman of APC, Hon Paul Omotoso.
“Let me say that we are saddened by this news because we know the trauma this must have caused to his family members, his town, admirers, members of our great party in Ekiti and Nigeria and the whole country at large.
“You could all attest to the fact that insecurity like this had been on a downward trend since Governor Oyebanji took over about nine months ago. We won’t allow any evil doer to jeopardise our strategy to make Ekiti safe for investments and habitation.
“I hereby charge the security operatives; the police, DSS, army and other sister agencies to rescue him alive from these evil doers and reunite him with his family safe and sound.
“Please, help us appeal to our youths not to take laws into their hands. They should remain peaceful and calm and I can assure you that he (Omotoso) will be released soon to join us”.
