By Jennifer Yusuf
The Police Command in Ekiti State, has confirmed the killing of a hunter, Mr. Emmanuel Ilori, by suspected kidnappers who matcheted him to death in Orin-Ekiti, in Ido-Osi local government area of Ekiti State.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ekiti State command, Mr. Caleb Ikechukwu, who confirmed the killing, said a man hunt has been launched to arrest the perpetrators.
According to information gathered, the man who was a hunter, Emmanuel Ilori was said to have been killed at midnight while on a hunt with some of his colleagues.
It will be recalled that barely 24hrs after a lady was murdered in Ise Ekiti. One of the hunters, Mr Adeniyi Ajayi, who was in the bush when the incident occurred explained that they met herdsmen numbering about thirty
an the abandoned piggery farm in the town.
The hunters noted that when they attempted to inquire on their mission in the farm settlement and what they were doing in the farm the herdsmen opened fire on them thus resulting in the death of Mr Ilori.
He claimed that “the herdsmen were kidnappers using the forest as hideout” the corpse of the hunter had been taken away by security officers for further investigation”
During a visit to the scene items such as knife, cutlass, dagger, and slippers were recovered. The people of Orin community have since staged a protest over the incident.
They called on Ekiti State government to take pragmatic measures to check the menace of herdsmen.
The protesters who were sobbing made burn fire on the streets of the community to show their grievances over the killing.
Addressing newsmen during the protest, High chief Francis Falua and Chairman of Rice Farmers in Ekiti State, Mr Kolawole Rotimi, explained that one pregnant woman was also allegedly killed by same herdsmen
last year.
They appealed to Governor Kayode Fayemi to wade into the matter before it gets out of hands adding that the herdsmen have been attacking farmers and feed their cattle’s with their farm produce.
