Assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on Friday evening invaded Oke Ako in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State killing two people and injuring three.
The assailants, numbering about 20, stormed the sleeping town around 8 p.m and unleashed terror on the residents.
After the onslaught, one person died instantly, while four others that sustained gunshots and machete wounds were taken to the hospital in a police vehicle.
Those taken to the hospital were Mrs. Seke Shittu, Ayo Abejide, Saka Lawal and Mr. Olomi Ibiteye.
Ibiteye, whom an eye witness said, had his stomach ripped open by a bullet, later died in the hospital on Saturday.
Residents blamed the attack on the laxity of the police and their refusal to act on intelligence report.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, who visited the town in company with the Commissioner of Police, Etop James, on Saturday, said the state government would take all necessary steps to avoid reoccurrence.
“We won’t allow strangers to destroy our lives and properties at will. This is a sad development that we must tackle to ensure justice and peace reign in the state.”
Olusola during a condolence visit to the Arosanyin’s family prayed to God to console the family.
“It is only God that can console you, there is little a man can do.”
The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, at the scene said that evidence had been gathered to assist the police in their investigation.
He said the law enforcement agency quickly mobilised its men to the town on getting the report and had restored normalcy in the town.
“As soon as we got the report, we mobilised our men and the Area Commander led the rescue operation to the place.
“We have restored normalcy and our men are stationed on ground,” he said.
There were five army vehicles and 10 police vehicles patrolling the town on Saturday.
The soldiers led by Major A. Y. Tukra were also combing the forest with the help of the locals on Saturday.
The Regent of the town, Tinuade Adebayo, said the invaders operated for about one hour before escaping through the bush.
“We had signs of possible attack and informed the police. The police did not act on it. When the attack was on, I called a number given to me by the police but it didn’t go through.
“I later called the Divisional Police Officer but he claimed he did not understand my message. Police did not arrive until about two hours after the Fulani herdsmen had left.”
The councillor for Ipaoa-Oke Ako-Irele ward, Mr. Segun Kehinde, said the problem was reoccurring one.
“Around January, the Fulani herdsmen sent a message to us that they were coming to attack us. I informed the chairman who sent a signal to the police. The police came then but the Fulani herdsmen did not show up. We thought the whole thing had ended then.
“On Friday they took us by surprise and started the attack from the centre of the town where youths usually gathered. They shot sporadically and had a field day because our vigilante group were not out by them.”
When asked how he knew that the criminals were Fulani herdsmen, he said, “Some people that hid in the bush saw their faces. They were also communicating in their language. Besides, they had already sent a message to us that they are coming to attack us.
“Last week, six Fulani men that were overheard planning to attack us were handed over to the police, but they were released on Thursday by the police. And the attack took place on Friday. We also recovered the caps of the attackers.”
The assailants, numbering about 20, stormed the sleeping town around 8 p.m and unleashed terror on the residents.
After the onslaught, one person died instantly, while four others that sustained gunshots and machete wounds were taken to the hospital in a police vehicle.
Those taken to the hospital were Mrs. Seke Shittu, Ayo Abejide, Saka Lawal and Mr. Olomi Ibiteye.
Ibiteye, whom an eye witness said, had his stomach ripped open by a bullet, later died in the hospital on Saturday.
Residents blamed the attack on the laxity of the police and their refusal to act on intelligence report.
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, who visited the town in company with the Commissioner of Police, Etop James, on Saturday, said the state government would take all necessary steps to avoid reoccurrence.
“We won’t allow strangers to destroy our lives and properties at will. This is a sad development that we must tackle to ensure justice and peace reign in the state.”
Olusola during a condolence visit to the Arosanyin’s family prayed to God to console the family.
“It is only God that can console you, there is little a man can do.”
The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, at the scene said that evidence had been gathered to assist the police in their investigation.
He said the law enforcement agency quickly mobilised its men to the town on getting the report and had restored normalcy in the town.
“As soon as we got the report, we mobilised our men and the Area Commander led the rescue operation to the place.
“We have restored normalcy and our men are stationed on ground,” he said.
There were five army vehicles and 10 police vehicles patrolling the town on Saturday.
The soldiers led by Major A. Y. Tukra were also combing the forest with the help of the locals on Saturday.
The Regent of the town, Tinuade Adebayo, said the invaders operated for about one hour before escaping through the bush.
“We had signs of possible attack and informed the police. The police did not act on it. When the attack was on, I called a number given to me by the police but it didn’t go through.
“I later called the Divisional Police Officer but he claimed he did not understand my message. Police did not arrive until about two hours after the Fulani herdsmen had left.”
The councillor for Ipaoa-Oke Ako-Irele ward, Mr. Segun Kehinde, said the problem was reoccurring one.
“Around January, the Fulani herdsmen sent a message to us that they were coming to attack us. I informed the chairman who sent a signal to the police. The police came then but the Fulani herdsmen did not show up. We thought the whole thing had ended then.
“On Friday they took us by surprise and started the attack from the centre of the town where youths usually gathered. They shot sporadically and had a field day because our vigilante group were not out by them.”
When asked how he knew that the criminals were Fulani herdsmen, he said, “Some people that hid in the bush saw their faces. They were also communicating in their language. Besides, they had already sent a message to us that they are coming to attack us.
“Last week, six Fulani men that were overheard planning to attack us were handed over to the police, but they were released on Thursday by the police. And the attack took place on Friday. We also recovered the caps of the attackers.”
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