A traditional ruler has been stabbed to death by a mad man according to news reports from Ekiti State.
The Traditional ruler of Odo–Oro-Ekiti community within Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Odunsakin was stabbed to death by a man suspected to be insane after a meeting of the traditional council.
The insane man is supposedly from the same ruling family as the deceased Ekiti traditional ruler and had earlier been seen sitting on the monarch’s throne before deliberation of the traditional council; he was chased away by the palace chiefs.
The assailant however stabbed the Ekiti monarch while he attempted to climb aboard his vehicle after the council meeting.
According to eyewitnesses present at the murder scene;
“All we heard was a cry for help from the traditional ruler’s driver shortly after the council meeting. On getting there, we saw our traditional ruler in a pool of his blood with a knife in the chest. We tried rushing him to the hospital, but Oba Ogunsakin gave up the ghost.”
As news of the Monarch’s death filtered through the community, some community youths took to the streets in search of the assailant who was said to have fled into the bush after the incident.
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They mounted road blocks while the search was ongoing and panic spread through the community as the market was deserted in a matter of hours.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu said;
“It is true the incident actually happened and police men have moved in. The person alleged is of unsound mind and he actually escaped into the bush after committing the crime. Our men are combing the bush to fish out the suspect. All I can say for now is that the suspect is within reach and will be put in custody.”