Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has directed law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and fish out the killers of 32-year-old Bayo Agbetoke.
Ekiti News reports that the killing occurred during a violent border dispute between Eda Oniyo in Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State and Obbo Ayegunle in Kwara State last Saturday.
This marks the second time where these hoodlums have inflicted terror upon residents of Eda Oniyo amidst the prolonged dispute over ownership of a vast parcel of land situated between the bordering towns.
The governor, during a sympathy visit to the palace of Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola and the deceased’s family, on Monday, described the killing as saddening and unwarranted, promising to initiate peace- building process with Kwara State for accelerated resolution of the dispute.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, condemned the gruesome killing of the deceased, describing such action as callous and morally reprehensible.
The Governor promised that his government will work collaboratively with security agencies to nab the killers and bring them to justice, while pledging more security beef up in the town to ward off assailants.
Governor Oyebanji urged Eda Oniyo community to embrace peace and rein in their youths against taking reprisal actions that could further exacerbate the already supercharged atmosphere.
“This killing was highly devastating and uncalled for. It becomes more painful to me because it came barely four days after I met with the stakeholders from Eda Oniyo, led by your royal highness, chiefs and elite. We promised that this matter will be resolved officially with Kwara State Government.
“The government of Governor Biodun Oyebanji places high value on the security of lives and property and under no guise would he allow anyone to kill any Ekiti indigene and go scot-free. I assure you, the killers will be brought to book.
“I have that confidence that his colleague in Kwara State won’t be happy about the sordid turn of event between the two formerly friendly communities. How can we be killing ourselves over land?
“I really sympathise with you on the death of one of you. But I want to appeal to you not to take a reprisal action. Continue to maintain peace no matter the level of provocation. The government is on top of the situation, we are with you”, the governor assured.
Consoling Eda Oniyo indigenes, who massed at the palace to mourn the deceased, Oyebanji added: “We have contacted the Kwara State State Government. Please don’t take laws into your hands. What is most important is that, the killers should be apprehended and we will ensure this.
“Pending the time this tension will subside, I appeal to you, don’t move about anytime after 8pm to avert further attacks. You can’t fight for yourselves. You have intermarried with Obbo Ayegunle and shared relationships.
“This incident might be painful, but Mr. Governor will not support you to take actions that suggest that you want to retaliate. It is not in the best interest of the two states”, he warned.
On the governor’s entourage were : lawmaker representing Ilejemeje state constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Iyabo Fakunle Okieimen, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode, Special Adviser on Internal Security, Brig Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Ilejemeje Council boss, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, representative of Surveyor General, Surveyor Rufus Gbadura, Secretary of Ekiti State Boundary Commission, Surveyor Olalekan Olajide, security agencies, among others.