Monarch Praises Oyebanji for Magnanimity to Slain Driver’s Family, Freed Pupils

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

A first class traditional ruler in Ekiti State, the Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo, has commended the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for his diligence in securing the release of the pupils and teachers of The Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, who were abducted by gunmen in his kingdom last week Monday.

The monarch praised Oyebanji for instantly deploying an ambulance and six medical personnel to administer medical treatments on 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.

The government delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, visited Olugbaye’s  family, the bus driver of The Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary School, Emure Ekiti, who was killed, with an assurance that the state government would not relent until those abducting and killing innocent citizens are arrested and punished.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has commiserated with the people and state government over the recent attacks that led to the killing of two monarchs and abduction of the school pupils in the state.

A delegation from the church led by the Pastor in charge of RCCG Region 25, Pastor Tunde Abdullahi, delivered the condolence message during a visit to the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

Other members of the delegation included the Pastors in charge of Region 22 and Region 39, Jimi Ajibade and Joseph Olagbadegun, as well as Tunde Adelusi.

In the condolence letter signed by the Continental Overseer, RCCG Continent 3, Pastor Funso Odesola, the Church condemned the gruesome killing of the two traditional rulers and the abduction of some school pupils (now freed)  and restated their commitment to supporting the state with prayers.

He said: “We stand united in condemning such acts of violence and advocating for justice to prevail. The tragic loss of these monarchs underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and concerted efforts to foster peace and stability within our communities.

“Be rest assured of our continued prayers for your state and the country at large” the letter stated.

While responding, Governor Oyebanji who hailed the church for the visit, expressed his profound gratitude to the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, for his demonstrated love and concern for the people of the state, following the sad incidents.

Also on the government’s delegation to the monarch, who had earlier visited the family of the slain driver, was the Chairman of Emure Local Government Area, Hon Adedayo Tosin Adedigbo.

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.

According to him, “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 is 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 State. In fact, all these are commendable efforts. We are really pleased with what Governor Oyebanji is doing and we want to assure him that my town will support whatever measure he puts in place to make the state safe.

“Though, we lost Mr. Olugbaye to these criminals, 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 State were mapped out.

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, Afuye said the only honour the state can do the dead is to devise ways of arresting the killers, the task she assured the state that the government would 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 in this harrowing phase of their lives.

“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,” she stated.

Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s family, Mr. Fatai Oseni appreciated the governor for the visit, appealing to the state government to offer permanent jobs to some of the deceased’s children in order to sustain the widow.