Fresh details have emerged regarding the murder of Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, the Olukoro of Koro in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. It is revealed that the assailants meticulously planned the murder in a local pub in the town before executing the attack on the monarch’s palace.
Reports suggest that the killers spent several hours at a local beer parlour, interacting with the surroundings and even luring a salesgirl from the pub to guide them to the palace. Once at the palace, the gunmen shot the retired senior military officer, who had refused to comply with their demands, ultimately leading to his tragic death. The monarch’s wife and two other individuals from the palace were abducted and taken to an unknown location.
The immediate younger brother of the slain monarch, Mr. Adelaja Aremu, recounted the incident, explaining that the gunmen had ordered Oba Aremu-Cole to stand up and accompany them, but he refused. The assailants shot him when he resisted their commands. Adelaja expressed hope that the police would take appropriate action in response to the kidnapping.
Despite the family’s grief, this incident is not the first time the town of Koro has experienced bandit attacks. Adelaja lamented the repeated raids by bandits on the community and their impact on residents, highlighting the need for security intervention.
In a distressing turn, the abductors have demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of the kidnapped victims, including the monarch’s wife. The abductors set a 48-hour deadline for the payment, threatening harm if the ransom is not delivered within the stipulated time frame.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, strongly condemned the killing of Oba Aremu-Cole and the abduction of his wife and others. The governor pledged to mobilize resources to track down the perpetrators and ensure justice is served. Prominent figures like former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki also expressed shock and condemned the heinous act, urging the government to prioritize the security of lives and property in the state.
As the community mourns the loss of their traditional ruler and grapples with the security challenges, there is a collective call for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and enhance security measures in the region.
