Oba Orisagbemi escapes kidnapping, death by whisker

By Idowu Ariwodola

The Atah of Ayede-Ekiti, Oba Afeleye Orisagbemi, narrowly escaped death at the hands of suspected kidnappers on Sunday.

Oba Orisagbemi is the fourth Ekiti State traditional ruler to suffer a similar fate in the last year.

The first ruler victim was kidnapped; the second one escaped kidnapping after his attackers scaled the palace fence and beat him to a pulp, while the third one escaped before the assailants struck.

Oba Orisagbemi escaped death after the gunmen opened fire at his convoy.

The incident happened between Isan and Ayede Ekiti around 9 pm.

It was gathered that the traditional ruler was returning from a meeting outside his domain.

According to one of the eyewitnesses, the criminals attempted to kidnap Oba Orisagbemi, shot at him on multiple occasions but were repelled by the monarch’s security operatives.

Oba Orisagbemi is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Efforts to get him to speak on the failed incident were unsuccessful.

However, the police spokesman in Ekiti State, ASP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.

Abutu said efforts were in top gear to track down the perpetrators.