Suspected terrorists attacked and killed Elepe’s traditional ruler, Ohi-Ogidi Chief Ojo Olayinka, in Kogi State’s Ijumu Local Government Area on Wednesday.
The traditional king was killed on his farm.
The monarch’s corpse was discovered on his farm after his relatives and people waited for him to return, but he did not return home.
The state government acknowledged the tragedy in a statement made on Wednesday by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications.
The state administration condemned the traditional ruler’s death as barbarous and promised to bring the killers to justice.
The statement reads: “In as much as this may not bring back our beloved citizen who was murdered, it will reinforce the trust of our citizens in the security architecture of the state. We cannot afford to relapse into a state of insecurity.
“We urge the people of Ogidi and Ijumu Local Government Area to remain calm and not take the laws into their hands, no matter the level of provocation, as the state apparatus is strong enough to defend and secure the lives of our people and bring antisocial elements to book.
“The people should remain vigilant and volunteer useful intelligence to security agencies and community leaders.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the immediate family of the deceased, the Ogidi community, the people of Ijumu Local Government Area, and indeed the traditional institution. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
“The administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will remain committed to the security of lives and property and will make life unbearable for criminals in the state.”
Chief Ojo Olayinka is the fourth traditional ruler killed by non-state actors in Nigeria within the last two weeks.
Recall that IdanNews had earlier reported how two traditional rulers in Ekiti State and one from Kwara State were killed by gunmen who invaded their respective communities.
