Victor Olakitan in Ado Ekiti
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye yesterday noted that abduction of monarchs was an affront to traditional institutions.
Adeboye, however, predicted that God would put an end to the rising rate of banditry, abduction, kidnapping and violence nationwide, urging Nigerians to pray for the country amid diverse challenges undermining her peace and security.
He made these remarks yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi at the Government House, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
Suspected gunmen had invaded the Palace of Obadu of Ilemeso, Oba David Oyewumi and abducted the monarch. Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Fayemi’s country home in Oye Local Government Area.
Oyewumi’s abduction occurred within a week some suspected bandits rained bullets on a car belonging to Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi along Ewu-Ayetoro Road and wounded the traditional ruler.
In the instant case, according to reports, the gunmen, numbering six, had scaled the fence of the Oba’s palace and shot sporadically to scare the occupants.
A source at the palace had narrated that the incident happened around 8.30p.m. when the chiefs who had earlier visited the place had retired.
“In the process of shooting, they gained entrance into the bungalow where the traditional ruler and members of his family were and started beating them.
“They were asking after the monarch which showed that they really came for him and not any other person. Immediately they sighted him, they dragged him and took him out of the palace,” the source narrated.”
But speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday, Adeboye said traditional institutions deserved respect because of the critical roles it plays in society, saying, “It is condemnable the flagrant disrespect to our traditional institution in Ekiti state in recent times by gunmen.”
He noted that he had committed himself in fighting the battle for the soul of the nation spiritually, praying for divine intervention in Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria at large.
Adeboye said he was in the state to ordain about 1000 pastors in RCCG, charging political leaders nationwide not to relegate the power of God to the background in their activities and policies in the interest of the citizens.
In his response, Fayemi expressed delight at the visit by the cleric. He commended Adeboye for his prayers and efforts towards the development and progress of the country.
He said: “We need prayers, we need a lot of help. We pray that God will continue to be good to us and heal the land and in a moment, all of us will have testimony to the good works of the Lord.”
