The police on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of a a mentally challenged person who allegedly stabbed to death the traditional ruler of Odo-Oro-Ekiti, a community in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Caleb Ikechukwu made this known in Ado Ekiti.
The police alleged that the suspect stabbed Oba Ogunsakin of Odo Oro Ekiti, on Monday.
Ikechukwu said that the suspect was arrested around 4.30 pm on Monday around Ajao Market in Ado-Ekiti.
His words: “I can confirm to you that the suspect has been arrested. He has confessed to the act and our investigation continues. The matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for more investigation.”,
The PPRO assured that the police would be professional in their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The killing had on Monday thrown Odo-Oro-Ekiti into mourning. as the royal father was stabbed to death.
Some residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria, said the traditional ruler was stabbed with a knife by a man suspected to be insane after a meeting of the traditional council.
A resident, Mr Henry Olu, said the assailant was from the same royal family as the slain traditional ruler; adding that the assailant was earlier seen before the council meeting sitting on the throne and was chased away.
The monarch was stabbed by the assailant while he was attempting to enter his vehicle after the council meeting.
“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,” another resident, who did not want his name mentioned, said.
Some irate youths in the community had taken to the streets in search of the assailant who was said to have fled into the bush after the incident.
The youths mounted roadblocks on major junctions leading into the community while the search lasted.
There was panic in the community, with its market deserted as the news of the incident filtered.
Ikechukwu had confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with NAN saying: “It is true the incident actually happened and policemen 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,” he said.
The late Oba Ogunsakin ascended the throne in 1986.
NAN
