From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado Ekiti
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Ekiti state government has solicited the support of traditional rulers and chiefs to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

The state Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, made the call while receiving members of the Association of Ekiti Traditional Chieftaincy holders in his office in Ado-Ekiti.

Egbeyemi, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Odunayo Ogunmola, said the government had taken steps to ensure security of lives and property in the state.

The deputy governor disclosed that a special security meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday where far-reaching decisions would be taken on the security situation of the state.

Egbeyemi said that the current administration would frown at a situation where traditional rulers would allow their domain to serve as operational bases for kidnappers and other criminals.

“We will frown against any Oba or chief in whose domains people are kidnapped, or used by kidnappers to operate.

“Henceforth, Obas and chiefs must know people in their vicinity, especially for strange persons in your neighbourhood and farms that may be used as hideouts.

“Those coming in and those going out of your domains must be known, as government is ready to assist you to ensure that there is security of lives and property.

“Obas and chiefs in communities between Igede and Efon, Ikere and Emure, Ado and Ikere, between Iworoko and Ifaki, Ifaki and Omuo should be up and doing.

“You will recall that during the first coming of Governor Kayode Fayemi, he committed a lot of resources to security by equipping the police and purchasing over 35 vehicles for them.

“But after four years, the vehicles were bad and there was no replacement for them,” he said.

The traditional chiefs, who were led by their spokesman, the Odofinyin of Iyin-Ekiti, High Chief Ayodeji Esan, had listed a ten-point demands, which included the security of every community in the state.

Esan urged the government to involve local hunters and vigilance groups as part of measures to ward off the incursion of armed herdsmen and kidnappers.

The chiefs, however, pledged their loyalty to the Fayemi administration, which they acknowledged invested in the development of the grassroots.

They also promised to mobilise people in the grassroots for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections to ensure victory for the party’s candidates.