The Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Idowu Adamo Babalola has expressed concern over the rising spate of violence in the state.
Oba Babalola also advised the state Police Commissioner, Mr Felix Uyanna, to disallow policemen on crowd control at peaceful demonstrations, to carry firearms.
In his reaction to Sunday’s violent clash between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, which resulted in the death of one Taiwo Akinola, who was purportedly shot dead by the police, the traditional ruler warned that the state should not be turned into a theatre of war.
“We don’t want Ekiti to be turned into a theatre of war as being preached in Abuja”, he said.
He, therefore, appealed to all politicians in the state to embrace peace so that the June 21 governorship election will come and go without incident.
Oba Babalola, who is the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, also called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar to effect the immediate removal of the Commander of Mobile Police Force in Ekiti, Mr Gabriel Serenkele.
The MOPOL commander was alleged to have fired the shot that killed Akinola and also led his men to allegedly attack the convoy of the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“In all civilised nations, police are meant to maintain, peace and protect the citizens. The barbaric act exhibited on Sunday by a member of the Nigeria Police Force gunning down an innocent citizen is totally unwarranted and unacceptable to the Council of Obas in Ekiti State. It is condemnable entirely”, His Royal Highness said.
